SC orders probe into 'misconduct by police' with Maneka family member

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Punjab police chief to conduct a probe into charges of misbehavior by the Pakpattan police with the daughter of Khawar Fareed Maneka and first lady Bushra Bibi.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, directed the IG to probe the entire affair keeping in view its every aspect and submit a report within a week.

It instructed the provincial police chief to look into the aspect of alleged political interference in the transfer of former Pakpattan district police officer (DPO) Rizwan Umar Gondal and take into account alleged role of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar, his chief security officer and Ahsan Jameel Gujjar, husband of Bushra’s friend as well as the statement of the DPO.

The chief justice observed that an unauthorised person intervened in police matters and ordered that action be taken against those found guilty in the controversy.

During the course of the hearing, the top judge remarked he issues notice to the Punjab CM under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution – a provision that provides for disqualification of public representatives – and summon him to the court to explain his position in the whole affair.

The Additional IG Punjab told the judges that he transferred the Pakpattan DPO on the directives of the IG Punjab.

Mr Gondal quoted the chief staff officer (CSO) to the CM as saying the chief minister didn’t want to see the DPO’s face.

At this, Justice Umar Atta Bandial asked the CSO if he had said so to which the latter replied in the negative.

The AIG said there are instances of late night transfers of police officers and added a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) was transferred at 2:58 am, for instance.

“Why are you telling a lie,” snapped Justice Bandial. “We appoint a joint investigation team (JIT) for the probe,” the CJP said.

The court directed ISI Colonel Tariq, who allegedly sent a message to Gondal to visit Khawar Maneka’s Dera, to remain careful in future.

Mr Maneka told the bench that the DPO’s subordinates misbehaved with his daughter and asked the judges to summon her to ascertain the fact.

His eyes brimmed with tears as he spoke of the alleged misconduct by the police.

The chief justice had taken suo motu notice of the controversy involving alleged transfer of DPO Gondal by the Punjab CM on the complaint of Maneka.

During the previous hearing, the apex court directed DPO Rizwan Gondal and Regional Police Officer Shariq Kamal to file affidavits with regard to the affair surrounding the transfer.

It summoned Maneka, Ahsan Jameel Gujjar, husband of Bushra’s friend, principal staff officer (PSO) to Punjab CM, chief staff officer (CSO) to CM, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Col. Tariq Faisal and DIG Headquarters Shahzada Sultan to appear on Sept 3.

The top court had questioned if Article 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution can be applied to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar over his alleged misuse of authority.

The bench expressed displeasure over the Punjab CM for intervening in police matters and warned that political meddling in police will not be tolerated.