Cop Torture: Chief Justice Of Pakistan Declines Request To Suspend FIR Against Lawyers

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday declined a request for suspending an FIR, registered against some lawyers for allegedly torturing a police officer.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Oct, 2018 ) :Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday declined a request for suspending an FIR, registered against some lawyers for allegedly torturing a police officer.

The CJP also denied the request for preventing the arrest of the accused lawyers and sought a copy of video of lawyers' assault on the police officer.

The chief justice was hearing a suo motu notice of an incident wherein some lawyers had subjected a police officer to torture at Lahore District and Sessions court premises.

At the outset of the proceedings, Lahore Bar Association (LBA) President Malik Arshad and Secretary Sohail Murshad appeared before the court, whereas a large number of lawyers were also present.

The chief Justice expressed his dismay, saying that he felt ashamed of such incidents.

To which, Malik Arshad submitted that no such step had been taken which could bring shame to him (CJP), while terming the incident a conspiracy. He complained that the police had included Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for slapping a policeman.

At this, the chief justice observed that if the police had included Section 7 of ATA illegally, then they could approach him.

To which, Malik Arshad submitted that it was decided that the courtroom videos would not be leaked. However, the chief justice questioned that why that should not be done. He observed that he was father of the institution, and he was ready to face even abuses for protection of its respect.

But, LBA President Malik Arshad contended that he was the bar president and he would not let down the bar.

At this stage, lawyers also chanted slogans of 'shame, shame' during the proceedings.

The top judge remarked that those chanting the slogans should not come to his court the next time.

Malik Arshad, however, submitted that the slogan was for the police and complained that the police attitude had been "very bad".

"I will tender my resignation, but I will not do injustice," the CJP said and added that he could not be pressurised with hooliganism. He also observed that the video of lawyers assault would be played at the next hearing to determine the responsible.

LBA Secretary Sohail Murshad asked the court to suspend the FIR and prevent the arrest of the accused lawyers.

However, the chief justice turned down the request saying that no orders would be passed till hearing the other side.

To which, the secretary submitted that a sit-in would be staged outside the court.

The CJP, however, responded that if they stage the sit-in, he would come and see it.

Subsequently, the CJP ordered that the video in question be played during the next hearing and told the Punjab Bar to continue its inquiry into the matter.

Later on, lawyers gathered outside the court and chanted slogans against the police. The chief justice reached the place and listened to their grievances. Lawyers told the CJP that they were his soldiers and they would always protect the respect of the judiciary.

The CJP had taken notice of the incident in which a group of about 15 lawyers, led by advocates Saif Khokhar, Nabeel Haider and Mustafa Khokhar, had attacked ASI Samar Riaz Khan in the district and sessions court when he went there to submit the record on Thursday.

The Islampura police had registered a case under terrorism charges against lawyers for torturing, detaining and injuring the policeman.