KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday disposed of two petitions filed by Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr Mahrang Baloch seeking quashment of an FIR and initiating an inquiry against certain police officers for allegedly attacking her and her companions, and for snatching of her mobile phone and passport within the remit of the airport police station.

The bench directed police to record her statement and register a case if a cognisable offense is made out against police officials.

The two-judge constitutional bench of SHC headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha also advised the petitioner to approach the trial court to avail remedy in a case lodged against her and others for their alleged involvement in inciting people by levelling allegations against security institutions.

Dr Mahrang had filed two petitions in October last year.

At the outset of the hearing, an inquiry report was filed on behalf of the DIG-East in compliance with an earlier court order.

The report stated that no involvement of local police was found in the incident and the police officers nominated in the petitions were not present at the site when the incident took place.

While disposing of both the petitions, the bench said “Be that as it may, the petitioner, if so advised may approach SHO PS Airport Karachi, who shall record her statement and if, a cognizable offence is made out, the concerned SHO shall lodge the FIR and proceed with the investigation in accordance with law.”

In the second petition regarding quashment of the FIR, the police submitted that an interim charge sheet had been filed against the petitioner and others before the court concerned.

“Accordingly, the petitioner is free to avail remedy before trial court,” the bench added.

Earlier, the counsel for petitioner Jibran Nasir argued that the petitioner was illegally stopped by police and her passport and mobile phone were also unlawfully confiscated by the police.

Mentioning the incident that occurred after the petitioner was barred from boarding a flight to New York on Oct 8, the counsel submitted that after leaving the airport, policemen in two vehicles intercepted her car, manhandled her and her companions and snatched Mahrang’s mobile phone and passport.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025