LAHORE, March 6: The Lahore High Court on Thursday refused to give magistracy powers to 495 administrative officials of the Punjab government.

The LHC rejected the request made by the home department because it was against the principle of separation between the executive and judiciary.

According to the section 17 of Cr.PC 1898, only those officers could be delegated magistracy powers who are working under the district and sessions judges. The officers nominated by the Punjab government are not working under D&SJs.