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The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the Punjab Police failed to protect the lives and properties of the inhabitants of Joseph Colony in Lahore.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard suo moto case of the burning of Christian houses at Joseph Colony in Badami Bagh, Lahore.
The court in its interim order ruled that Inspector General Police Punjab had failed in providing security to 220 homes. The court has sought answers to the questions as to what steps have been taken to stop such attacks in the future, why residents were displaced and why they were not provided security.
The court observed that unless and until true facts are produced, it would not be possible either for police and law-enforcing agencies to nab the culprits involved in the incident.
The court further noted that no specific reply was submitted in conduct of the police particularly the IGP, CCPO and SP. The court observed that if there was a system at place, as to why the incident has taken place.
Prima facie we are of the opinion that on account of failure of the system, law and order was not maintained otherwise, it was quite possible to control and prevent the incident, the court ruled in its order adding that the provincial government, police are providing contradicting statements, failing to give reasons as to why the inhabitants of the area were compelled to leave their places on the night between March 8 to 9 and as to why security was not provided to the residents of the Colony, who have a right to as enshrined in Article 9 and 14 of the Constitution.
The provincial government must satisfy us as to why the fundamental rights of the inhabitants under Article 9 and 14 of the Constitution were not protected, the court ruled in its interim order. During the proceedings, Advocate General Punjab Ashtar Ausaf placed on record, report of the Judicial Commission in respect of Gojra incident 2009, stating that the report is available on the website of the Punjab government.
He said that the judicial commission report had recommended an amendment in the police order, adding that this recommendation was sent to concerned officials but there were differences between the home department and police over the amendment.
The chief justice asked whether the government was so helpless that it could not implement the judicial commission report due to some differences. The chief justice also asked why no concrete steps were taken for the implementation of the report.
The advocate general further informed the court that the trial of those accused in the Gojra incident had begun but there a compromise reached. The court, however observed that there was no room for compromise in cases of terrorism.
Earlier during proceedings SSP Investigation informed the court about the investigation of the incident. The SSP said that during initial interrogation the Christian suspect accused of blasphemy in his statement admitted that he was given to intoxication and did not remember what he had said. The SSP sought time to ascertain the facts. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry remarked that the police instead of asking witnesses was asking suspects. He added that the incident had taken place after Friday prayers and asked whether or not the point was being investigated as to what had provoked the people.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till March 18, directing for submitting a comprehensive reply about the reasons behind the incident and about the action taken against those held responsible for the attacks.
Punjab Police failed to protect Joseph Colony: SC - thenews.com.pk
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard suo moto case of the burning of Christian houses at Joseph Colony in Badami Bagh, Lahore.
The court in its interim order ruled that Inspector General Police Punjab had failed in providing security to 220 homes. The court has sought answers to the questions as to what steps have been taken to stop such attacks in the future, why residents were displaced and why they were not provided security.
The court observed that unless and until true facts are produced, it would not be possible either for police and law-enforcing agencies to nab the culprits involved in the incident.
The court further noted that no specific reply was submitted in conduct of the police particularly the IGP, CCPO and SP. The court observed that if there was a system at place, as to why the incident has taken place.
Prima facie we are of the opinion that on account of failure of the system, law and order was not maintained otherwise, it was quite possible to control and prevent the incident, the court ruled in its order adding that the provincial government, police are providing contradicting statements, failing to give reasons as to why the inhabitants of the area were compelled to leave their places on the night between March 8 to 9 and as to why security was not provided to the residents of the Colony, who have a right to as enshrined in Article 9 and 14 of the Constitution.
The provincial government must satisfy us as to why the fundamental rights of the inhabitants under Article 9 and 14 of the Constitution were not protected, the court ruled in its interim order. During the proceedings, Advocate General Punjab Ashtar Ausaf placed on record, report of the Judicial Commission in respect of Gojra incident 2009, stating that the report is available on the website of the Punjab government.
He said that the judicial commission report had recommended an amendment in the police order, adding that this recommendation was sent to concerned officials but there were differences between the home department and police over the amendment.
The chief justice asked whether the government was so helpless that it could not implement the judicial commission report due to some differences. The chief justice also asked why no concrete steps were taken for the implementation of the report.
The advocate general further informed the court that the trial of those accused in the Gojra incident had begun but there a compromise reached. The court, however observed that there was no room for compromise in cases of terrorism.
Earlier during proceedings SSP Investigation informed the court about the investigation of the incident. The SSP said that during initial interrogation the Christian suspect accused of blasphemy in his statement admitted that he was given to intoxication and did not remember what he had said. The SSP sought time to ascertain the facts. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry remarked that the police instead of asking witnesses was asking suspects. He added that the incident had taken place after Friday prayers and asked whether or not the point was being investigated as to what had provoked the people.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till March 18, directing for submitting a comprehensive reply about the reasons behind the incident and about the action taken against those held responsible for the attacks.
Punjab Police failed to protect Joseph Colony: SC - thenews.com.pk
