KASUR: The district police officer (DPO) on Sunday suspended two police officials of Mustafabad police station from service in connection with a raid on a farmhouse and arrest of 25 women and 30 men on allegations of obscene dance and use of loudspeaker and drugs, after the case was discharged by a court.

Mustafabad police, on Saturday, had to face an embarrassing situation when the local court ordered release of all 55 persons, including women, and discharged the case.

On the Friday night, the police raided a farmhouse near Pakki Havali village, following a “tip-off” about an alleged “dance party” being held there, arresting 55 persons and putting them behind the bars.

Later, a case was lodged against them on the complaint of Sub Inspector Muhammad Sadiq under sections 3 and 4 of the Prohibition (enforcement of Hadd) Order 1979, Section 6 (a) of the Punjab Prohibition of Sheesha Smoking Act 2014, section 6 of The Punjab Sound System Regulation Act 2015 and section 292 and 293 of the PPC and presented the suspects before a magistrate on Saturday to obtain their physical remand.

Police also issued a press release claiming arrest of 55 persons and recovery of Sheesha, liquor, and a sound system from the venue.

The press release said that DPO Essa Khan formed a team headed by Saddar circle SDPO and Mustafabad SHO Saqlain Bukhari that raided the farmhouse. It also contained blurred pictures of the arrested persons, including women.

Interestingly, after the court ordered release of the suspects and cancellation of the case, and backlash on social media, the police released another press release on Sunday as a damage-control measure.

The press release said the DPO suspended the investigation officer Muhammad Sadiq and Muharar Muhammad Shabir for releasing a video of the suspects in custody.

It added that the police neither made any video of the suspects nor released it in “official capacity”. However, the release was silent on the legality of the raid and the arrests.

“The police always hold self-respect of citizens as their top priority as per the SOPs,” the press release further said.

The DPO has also sought a report on the episode from the investigation SP within a couple of days.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2025