KARACHI, Jan 19: The Sindh High Court issued contempt notices, on Monday, to two police officials for whisking away a detainee released by the court on Oct 22, 2002.

Robin Piradato, a member of the non-governmental organization, Idara Amn-o-Insaf, was present at the NGO's office in Rimpa Plaza when it was attacked by unknown gunmen on Sept 25, 2002. Six people were killed on the spot while Mr Piradato fell unconscious. Police took him into custody as an eyewitness and when he was not freed after being questioned, an habeas corpus petition was moved by his wife for his release on Oct 4, 2002.

A division bench comprising Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Amir Hani Muslim allowed the petitioner and her counsel to meet Mr Piradato at the CIA centre. The court nazir accompanied them to see whether he was maltreated. The nazir later reported that Mr Piradato had been subjected to physical violence.

The bench ordered his production on Oct 22, 2002 and released him when the CIA was unable to explain his confinement or justify its claim that he was being detained for his own protection. He was alleged to have been confined under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.

The petitioner's counsel, Noor Naz Agha and Syed Ghulam Shah, expressed the apprehension that Mr Piradato might not be released even after the court order and might again be subjected to torture. The police officials described the apprehension baseless and assured the court that it's direction would be complied with.

However, as the detainee came out of the courtroom, about a police contingent ringed him and his counsel. He was rearrested by the police, as he reached the staircase. His counsel and a number of other lawyers, who tried to intervene were roughed by the police personnel. The incident was immediately brought to the notice of the division bench, which asked the lawyers to move a contempt plea for hearing by another division bench.

Show cause notices for contempt were issued to DSP Qasim Ghori of the CIA investigation cell and Investigation Officer Tasarrud Mehmood on a petition filed by the two counsel and Advocates Asifa Rizvi and Ali Jafri. The CIA officials were unable to justify or explain their conduct and a division bench comprising Justice Shabbir Ahmed and Justice M. Sadiq Leghari held that they were prima facie guilty of contempt of court.

The bench directed the accused contemners on Monday to furnish surety in the sum of Rs50,000 each and execute personal bonds in the like amount to ensure their appearance for the trial before the court. February 9 was fixed for framing of charge and Additional Advocate-General M. Ahmed Pirzada was asked to ensure that the officials were suspended from service before the trial.