KASUR: In the light of an inquiry report about the police raid on an alleged dance party at a Kasur farmhouse and arrest of 55 persons, including 25 women, who were later discharged by a court, District Police Officer (DPO) Essa Sukhaira, suspended his three more subordinates, including an SHO, from service on Monday.

The detailed inquiry conducted under the supervision of the DPO revealed that the police officials themselves facilitated the organiser in holding the event at the farmhouse, leaked information of the raid and then uploaded the pictures and video of the participants to humiliate them in the public.

The DPO had already suspended two policemen on Sunday, including the case investigation officer (also the complainant) and muharar of Mustafabad police station.

Mustafabad police raided a farmhouse near Pakki Havali village on Friday last and arrested 55 persons, detaining them in the lock-up of the police station. The complainant, SI Muhammad Sadiq, alleged in the first information report that the suspects indulged in obscene dances under the influence, and consumed drugs and Sheesha.

DPO suspends three more policemen

However, the next day a local court discharged the case and ordered release of all suspects for want of a warrant for the raid and independent evidence.

The inquiry report revealed that it was a planned event, advertised on social media, and organised in connivance with the local police. It says that the event organiser was charging from Rs18,000 to Rs100,000 per entry. The organiser reportedly invited the DJ (disc jockey) from Sri Lanka.

According to the DPO, he ordered SDPO Afzal Dogar to get complete details of the event and formed a team to raid the farmhouse.

The inquiry, however, revealed that SHO Saqlain Bukhari leaked the information of the raid to the organiser half an hour prior to the action. As a result, scores of “guests” managed to escape before the police reached the venue.

The DPO suspended the SHO Bukhari and sent his recommendation to high-ups for the termination of his service.

The inquiry further revealed that the investigation officer made a video of the arrested persons using his mobile phone and forwarded it to another police official Nadeem Nagi, who uploaded it on social media.

The DPO ordered a criminal case under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA) and Police Order 2002 against the IO Sadiq and Nadeem Nagi.

Both suspects were detained in the lock-up of Mustafabad police station, where they were posted (Mustafabad). The DPO also suspended a security constable from service.

Muharar Muhammad Shabir was also suspended from service after the inquiry held him guilty of allowing illegal activities on the premises of a police station.

The DPO told Dawn that the policemen were penalised for facilitating an illegal activity, leaking information of raid to the organiser, and revealing the suspects identity before they were brought to the court of justice.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2025