LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday expressed concern over registration of a first information report on the complaint of a deceased woman and sought replies from the Sialkot police officers.

Muhammad Akbar filed a petition pleading that Motra police station of Sialkot district registered an FIR against him and others on charges of destroying fields of a woman, Fahmida Arshad, and also stealing fertiliser bags.

A counsel for the petitioner told the court that the police registered the FIR on Dec 31, 2021, whereas the complainant woman had passed away in 2005. He also produced death certificate of the woman before the court to substantiate his argument.

He contended that the police lodged a fabricated case against the petitioner to mint money at the behest of his rivals.

Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan expressed his wonder and concern as well over the registration of the FIR on the complaint of a deceased woman.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Feb 15 and issued notices to the respondents/police officials (Sialkot) for submission of their replies.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2022