LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) to personally take action on the incidents of filming and uploading videos of arrested individuals on the internet by police.

Referring to the arrest of men and women at a dance party and viral circulation of their video on social media by Kasur police, Justice Ali Zia Bajwa remarked that the humiliation faced by the detainees seemed reminiscent of slave markets from ancient times.

During the hearing, Advocate General of Punjab (AGP) Amjad Pervaiz stated that Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees the dignity and honour of every citizen, which cannot be violated under any circumstances.

He acknowledged that the state machinery was not free from errors. He informed the court that the chief minister had taken notice of the contempt committed by the police officials.

A senior officer of the Special Branch submitted an inquiry report of the incident, saying the SHO and two other police officials concerned were found guilty.

He said Constable Nadeem was the one who circulated the video of the arrested persons on social media. He recommended that police social media practices need to be reviewed.

The judge ordered the additional IG of the Special Branch to personally monitor the reviewing process of the social media policy.

Justice Bajwa observed that camera crews, including female and other social media reporters, visit police stations and create content that one cannot watch with family.

He noted that the lesser exposure of a police official’s identity was better for the institution.

The Special Branch officer told the court that the SHO was present at the Mustafabad police station of Kasur and was throwing a flashlight on the faces of the detainees.

The judge observed that there could be no greater disgrace to the police department than an officer shining light onto women’s faces.

He acknowledged that the youth involved may have made mistakes, but what the police did was absolutely unacceptable.

He warned if any under-custody suspect was interviewed by the media at a police station in future, the SP concerned will be held accountable.

Justice Bajwa directed the police officials involved in the Kasur incident to submit their replies to the contempt of court notices.

The officials tendered an unconditional apology, but the judge expressed his displeasure, questioning why the policemen were still free.

The judge ordered the police to secure physical remand of the guilty officials from the trial court and ensure protection of the victims.

He observed that any individual humiliated by the police had the right to claim damages. The judge instructed Prosecutor General (PG) of Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah to play an advisory role in police cases.

He ordered that any new social media policy for the police should not be introduced without consultation with both – the AGP and the PG.

The next hearing was adjourned for April 25.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2025