LAHORE, Nov 27: The Lahore High Court on Monday took strong exception to the Muslim Town police registering a case under Hudood laws against 17 members of a Christian family observing that this was a major illegality.

The court observed if the police obeyed and implemented law in its letter and spirit, a majority of the litigant public could be relieved from the hassle of courts and the burden of cases on the judiciary would come down substantially.

The court made the observation while disposing of a writ petition through which Khalida Perveen and 16 members of her family had sought the quashment of a Hudood case registered against them on the plea that Islamic laws were not attracted to Christians as provided by the law.

The petitioner stated that her son Noman Khalid embraced Islam and married Tayyaba of his own free will. However, Tayyaba’s family forced the girl to dissolve her marriage, which she did. Later, the girl’s family got a case registered against Khalida, Noman and 15 more members of their family under the Islamic law with the Muslim Town police. The police started intimidating the family and took into custody two of the members when her son had gone abroad, she submitted.

The investigating official also corroborated the statement of the petition. The court warned the police official against harassing the family and directed him to proceed strictly in accordance with the law.

HOUSING: Advocate M D Tahir on Monday moved the Lahore High Court in a writ petition, seeking refund of registration and processing fee being charged by the Defence Housing Authority and other housing societies on a non-refundable basis.