LAHORE, Feb 21: A sub-inspector of the city, who had been suspended from service by the provincial police officer (IGP) during his maiden open court on Jan 27, is still working at the post, indicating how deep-rooted are the seeds of indiscipline in the department.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg but bears ample testimony to the fact that it is hard to kick out the wrongdoers in the force even if the authorities want so,” a senior official told Dawn.

He said SI Amin, in charge of the Halloki police post, Kahna, was suspended from service during the open court on the complaint of Shafique who alleged that the police had not registered a robbery case despite his repeated requests.

The IG penalised the policeman after giving a patient hearing to him and making sure that the complainant had been denied justice.

Former Lahore CCPO Anwar Virk, DIG (Operations) Aftab Cheema and other senior officials of the city police attended the court.

Later, minutes of the open court were sent to the authorities concerned, including the chief minister and the chief secretary, for information. Written orders regarding the suspension too were sent to the Lahore police for compliance. “But, the SI continues to work at the same post to this day,” the official said.

Under the police rules, the official said, burking crime (concealing robbery by not registering a case) was a serious offence carrying punishment not less than dismissal from service. He said a few days ago the provincial additional IG was asked during a television talk show about the fate of the SI and he had promised compliance of the IG’s orders.

“It was then hoped that the SI would be removed after the programme but the situation is still the same,” the official said.

The official believed that the SI might have been enjoying the blessings of the powers-that-be having interest in the growing urbanisation or housing societies in Kahna or it might be the failure of the IGP office’s self-appraisal wings which seem to have no sense of direction.

“It seems that the SI is more powerful than the IGP or team under his command in the city or any of the senior officers in Lahore have ‘working’ relationship with the SI or his patrons”, the official confided.