LAHORE, Nov 12: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday rejected oral apology tendered by Investigations SSP Zulfiqar Hameed in contempt proceedings initiated against him and directed him to file a reply to the contempt notice already issued to him.

Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi had initiated contempt proceedings against the SSP for delaying his appearance in a petition assailing the transfer of investigation of a fraud case against a woman banker.

On Friday, the SSP appeared and tendered unconditional apology, but the judge refused to entertain the verbal apology and directed Hameed to come up with a written reply.

The officer sought time to engage a counsel for the purpose on which the judge adjourned hearing till Nov 24.

Advocate Tipu Salman Makhdoom filed the petition against transfer of the investigation in a case lodged by the petitioner against banker Shumaila Sarwar Khanzada pertaining to a bounced cheque.

He pleaded that the SSP investigation had rejected before the parties an application of the accused (Shumaila) to transfer the investigation, but after sometime, allowed the application in violation of rules and regulations.

He requested the court to declare the transfer of investigation illegal.