In a landmark decision, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has handed down jail sentences to the capital’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (operations) in a contempt of court case. The ruling, delivered by Justice Babar Sattar, saw the DC sentenced to six months in prison while the SSP received a four-month jail term along with a fine of Rs100,000. The case stemmed from the repeated detentions of PTI leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) last year, which the court deemed as misconduct beyond the officials’ authority.
The court’s decision came after multiple show-cause notices and appeals were issued to the officials, who were accused of exceeding their jurisdiction in detaining the political leaders. Despite the Islamabad police’s argument that they acted within their authority to maintain law and order, the court found their actions to be in violation of the law and ordered their imprisonment. While the sentences have been suspended for a month pending appeal, failure to suspend within this period will lead to the officials’ arrest, marking a significant development in ensuring accountability within the capital’s administration and law enforcement.
In response to the verdict, the Islamabad police announced plans to file an intra-court appeal, aiming to challenge the decision and declare it null and void. The police reiterated their commitment to upholding the law and stated that the DC, SSP, and other officials involved will continue to perform their duties until a final decision is reached. The case underscores the importance of adherence to legal protocols and the rule of law, highlighting the judiciary’s role in holding public officials accountable for their actions
