HYDERABAD, May 22: DPO Hyderabad Imran Shaukat has defended registration of sedition case against lawyers and local political leaders and said: “I was not aware of the condition to take permission from the provincial home department before applying section 124-A in the FIR.”

He was addressing a press conference held in his office on Tuesday to disclose the arrest of Dhani Bux alias Babu, younger brother of a criminal Raheem Detho, in the murder of a watchman. According to the DPO, Babu was arrested by the SHO police station Phulelli, near Railway Micro Wave Tower, Tando Mir Mehmood for allegedly murdering a watchman, Rab Dino Shah on May 12, in Jani Shah para Talab no-3. He said two more accused, including a woman were to be arrested.

To a question regarding the lodging of an FIR by Cantonment police under sedition charges against lawyers, including members Sindh Bar Council, he said it was rightly lodged as anti-state slogans had been raised by them.

He said he had nothing to do with the police of other cities who didn't lodge cases under such section against lawyers. He said that law would take its own course in any matter involving violations of law. He said he was not aware that home department's permission was necessary for incorporating section 124-A (sedition) in FIR.

APP adds: Imran Shaukat called for an increase in the strength of police force for maintaining law and order and controlling crimes in the district.

The present strength of 2,400 policemen was insufficient as the majority of policemen were engaged in other duties including traffic control, on VIPs duties and pick and drop of prisoners from jail to courts, said the DPO.

He said Hyderabad was an economic and social hub of interior Sindh which needed sufficient police force and latest equipments and vehicles to protect the life and property of citizens, besides other duties. The DPO said that despite limited strength, performance of police force was being improved.

He said police had initiated action against narcotics and gambling dens to cleanse the area of crime. Action had been initiated against gutka and mainpuri vendors with 30 persons, already booked on this charge, he said.

Replying to a question as to why sale of gutka and mainpuri was on rise despite police efforts, the DPO said: “We are moving in the right direction, however now it is up to the health department to launch awareness campaign against the consumption of such items.”

He said close liaison between the Press and police will go a long way in eliminating crimes from the area.