HYDERABAD, July 19: The Hyderabad circuit bench of the Sindh High Court on Thursday issued notices to regional police officer (RPO) of Hyderabad, district coordination officer (DPO) of Badin, superintendent police (investigations) of Badin and taluka police officer of Shaheed Fazil Rahu besides 12 other respondents to appear in court on July 25.

The court issued the notices on a constitutional petition filed by Shevo, son of Desar Meghwar.

The petitioner said that on Feb 25, 2007 respondent Munir alias Dado and Suleman with a number of other people attacked the houses of petitioner and his nephews and subjected them to severe torture leaving many family members injured.

Mr Shevo filed an FIR at Kario Ghanwar police against the two respondents, which annoyed them and they started issuing threats to the petitioner and his relatives asking them to withdraw the case or face consequences.

The respondents were highly influential and enjoyed support of ministers, he added.

He said that on June 27, 2007 the petitioner and his relatives participated in a protest against load-shedding and people who provided illegal connections in Kario Ghanwar town.

This angered Gul Mohammad and three respondent policemen who along with a band of armed people attacked the houses of petitioner and his relatives on June 28, and terrorised the families. When the neighbours came to their rescue the respondents took to their feet, he said.

The petitioner and his nephew went to police station but the SHO instead of filing an FIR against the accused became angry and put them behind bars for two hours.

On June 30 the three respondents along with a heavy contingent of police and private people again raided their houses, snatched Rs20,000 and three mobile phones and beat up the family members, he said.

Afterwards, the respondent Haji alias Wikio lodged a false FIR against the petitioner and his relatives and on July 4 the SHO of Kario Ghanwar police station initiated proceedings against him and his relatives, he said.

He sent an application to the DPO of Badin against the false case but nothing happened. The DPO instead directed police to arrest the petitioner and his whole family forcing him and his relatives to flee for their lives, he said.

Mr Shevo said that the lives and honour of his family were in grave danger and prayed the court to quash the FIR and direct the DPO of Badin to produce details of all the FIRs lodged against his family in the court.

He requested the court to direct the RPO to get an honest police officer conduct inquiry and take preventive actions against the respondents for violating law and instituting false charges.

He sought protection for him and his family and requested the court to restrain police from harassing them.