JIT to probe in IGP Islamabad transfer -SC

Khudayar Mohla
ISLAMABAD, (TLTP): Supreme Court on Friday formed a three-member joint investigation team (JIT) to ascertain the truth behind recent transfer of Islamabad top police officer and to probe the assets of Federal Science and Technology minister Azim Swati.
Resuming the hearing of suo-motu notice over recent transfer of Inspector General Police Islamabad Jan Muhammad, a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar decided to form the JIT, comprising officials from National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency and Intelligence Bureau with directives to submit its report in the matter within two weeks.
Appearing before the bench Jan requested the court to endorse verbal orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan about his transfer saying under the prevailing circumstances he would not be able to perform being head of Islamabad police. Accepting the plea of Jan Muhammad, the bench rescinded its earlier order about cancelation of Jan’s transfer notification.
During the course of proceedings, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that Azim Swati not only registered case against vulnerable people but also sent their women to jail. The top judge remarked, “Such kind of rulers will take care of life and property of the people”.
Representing Swati in the matter before the bench Barrister Ali Zafar submitted apology on behalf of the minister and held the police responsible for an argument between a family that had allegedly encroached on the minister’s farm house. However, the bench turned down the apology saying it will
form a JIT to probe the transfer of the Islamabad police chief, adding that the court would have to examine application of Article 62(1)(f) in the matter in hand.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked while addressing Swati to furnish resign that the court has great respect for the Parliament but it should be realized that misuse of power is not permissible under law of the law.
It is worth mentioning that IGP’s transfer took place after Swati’s son had registered a case against slum dwellers allegedly trespassing on the family’s land. As many as five people, including two women, were arrested under the charges of trespassing and assaulting Swati’s guards, some of them were released but a woman was sent to judicial custody.
In pursuance of apex court directives, accused persons appeared before the bench as one of the elder of the family submitted that he has reached to compromise with Swati under the reason the country was getting a bad name.
Rejecting any compromise, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said that compromise supposed to be among equals, adding that court would have to investigate the matter.
Subsequently, issuing notice to Azim Swati in the case, the bench formed a three-member JIT to probe into the matter and adjourned hearing for two weeks.