LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for case filing in all district courts of Punjab to prevent fake and bogus cases.

Following the approval granted by the LHC administrative committee, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued the new SOPs.

According to the new SOPs, completing an information sheet is now mandatory for filing a case.

The information sheet must include the petitioner, plaintiff, or litigant’s signature or thumb impression, along with a photograph of the petitioner or plaintiff.

However, the petitioner or plaintiff is not required to appear in court for the photograph as they may submit it from any location via webcam.

Additionally, as per the new SOPs, the information sheet must also include the numbers of the petitioner or plaintiff’s CNIC (identity card) and mobile phone.

A press statement says that recently several fake and fraudulent cases have been filed in district courts across the province using forged documents and fictitious names. Through these means, funds deposited in the government treasury in the name of real litigants were fraudulently withdrawn.

On the orders of the chief justice, action has already been initiated against those involved in such fraudulent activities.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2025