LAHORE, April 6: A one-man inquiry probing the March 17 clash between police and lawyers recorded statements of six more witnesses from police on Friday. The tribunal is holding the inquiry on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Those testified were SP Azmatullah Gondal, ASP Jahanzeb Khan and four other police officials. Lawyers also cross-examined them.

Facing the cross-examination, the SP said he was on duty on Fane Road on March 17, commanding over two DSPs and six police reserves, each comprising 25 policemen.

He said the police force deputed at the Fane Road gate of the high court entered the court building on orders from high-ups, but he claimed that he did not know who had issued the orders.

The SP said he was standing some 100 yards away from the court building when an armoured vehicle entered the court building. He alleged lawyers were pelting police with stones, leaving no option for him but to save his life.

He claimed that four policemen from his force had sustained injuries due to the stone pelting.

The SP also said he had ordered the armoured vehicle driver not to enter the building, but he could not hear him due to his soundproof cabin.

The judge had on a previous hearing appointed a one-man commission to examine the ransacked offices of lawyers. The commission is required to submit his report in consultation with the high court registrar by Saturday (today).

The court had also summoned the footages of TV channels and photographs published in newspapers of the incident.

The court has so far recorded statements of 11 journalists and 14 lawyers. Recording of police statements is in process.

For recording more evidence from police, including Lahore operations police chief SSP Aftab Cheema, the court adjourned further hearing for Saturday (today).