LAHORE; The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought a comprehensive report from the district jail authorities in response to a petition filed by a citizen from Sialkot, who has expressed fear that his son, currently incarcerated, may be killed in a staged police encounter. The report is to be submitted by July 22.
During the proceedings, the court also summoned the Advocate General of Punjab (AGP) to assist in the next hearing, particularly on the legal status and operational mechanism of the Counter Crime Directorate (CCD), the body reportedly involved in such police actions.
Justice Farooq Haider, presiding over the case, made strong remarks, stating that it is indeed true that CCD has been conducting police encounters across Punjab.
He questioned the rationale behind establishing such a force when other law enforcement agencies like the Punjab Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) already exist.
Justice Haider further observed that the court’s responsibility is to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and the law. He emphasized the need to assess whether existing security institutions have failed, which might have prompted the creation of CCD.
He also raised concerns regarding the legal framework under which CCD operates alongside the other established agencies.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Azam Khan, informed the court that the citizen’s son, Rahat, is currently in jail facing multiple criminal charges. The plea, however, centers on ensuring that his life is not endangered through an alleged extrajudicial encounter.
