LHC gives police ‘last chance’ to recover Sheikh Rashid

The Lahore Excessive Court docket (LHC) on Tuesday expressed its displeasure over the detention of former inside minister Sheikh Rashid and gave authorities a “final likelihood” to recuperate the PTI ally by October 2. 

“In failing to take action, strict motion can be taken in opposition to the power.”

Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, from the Rawalpindi bench of LHC, heard the case of the Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and reprimanded Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Khurram Ali for failing to recuperate the veteran politician. The choose additionally inquired concerning the progress made within the case.

Learn Sheikh Rashid taken into custody in Islamabad

Rashid was at his residence in a personal housing society on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sept 17 when purported Rawalpindi Police personnel and a few officers in plain garments, raided the residence and detained him and three others. Nonetheless, in a press release issued later that night time, a spokesperson of the Rawalpindi Police denied the arrest and claimed Rashid was not of their custody. He has been lacking since.

Rashid’s counsel, in the course of the listening to, informed the courtroom that Rawalpindi police had been contacting them to situation a press release on Rashid’s behalf, claiming that he went away on his personal and was not arrested by the authorities. “They are saying that Sheikh Rashid can be launched after the assertion,” he stated.

The lawyer additional prayed that the police raided Rashid’s home and arrested him beneath the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operation Faisal Suleman. There’s CCTV footage to assist the declare. All the safety guards who dwell close to the world are additionally witnesses of the arrest, he added.

Learn extra LHC seeks replies from Rawalpindi authorities over Rashid’s arrest

Upon this, the courtroom directed the RPO to present an affidavit that they (the three individuals detained within the CCTV together with Sheikh Rashid) should not beneath police custody. If the three are recovered from Rawalpindi, then authorized motion can be taken in opposition to the power, the choose remarked.

The previous minister’s counsel additionally prayed to the courtroom that his shopper’s nephew, Sheikh Shakir, and worker Imran don’t have anything to do with politics and therefore, shouldn’t change into ‘targets’.

After listening to either side, Justice Sadaqat gave authorities a final likelihood to recuperate Rashid, and others by October 2. “After that, there can be no calls. Strict motion can be taken and spot can be issued to the RPO.”