SC adjourns case on police action against lawyers, journalists
* Directs hospitals to submit detailed reports on injured
* Orders SSP to submit report on Sep 29 incident
* Senior counsel proposes code of conduct for media, lawyers and police
ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned till October 31 the case of use of force by police against lawyers and journalists on September 29.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the replies submitted by suspended inspector general of police Islamabad, Moravet Shah, and others, and directed all of them to file fresh replies, reported APP.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Rana Bhagwandas and Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, heard the case in detail and took note of the guidelines presented by Khalid Anwar, who was representing the journalists and the lawyers community.
Hospitals directed: The bench directed the medical superintendents of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Hospital, Islamabad to submit detailed reports concerning the injured admitted to their respective facility on the day the incident occurred in front of the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of Pakistan buildings.
The bench also allowed anyone desiring to submit an affidavit about the incident to do so. Several lawyers and journalists have already submitted affidavits about the incident. IG Moravet Shah and Superintendent of Police Dr Naeem also appeared before the court on notice and remained present in the courtroom during the proceedings. The SC had earlier suspended Shah, Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Muhammad Ali and SSP Dr Naeem on October 1 in connection with the police violence against lawyers and journalists. Assistant Advocate General Punjab Raja Saeed Akram also appeared before the court on notice.
The bench heard the case because the SC has taken suo motu notice of the incidents. The court has already issued contempt notices to the suspended IGP, the SSP and the duty magistrate over the launching of teargas shells and stones within SC premises.
The court ordered the authorities to ensure adequate medical treatment for all those who had been injured by the police and were still hospitalised.
SSP to submit report: The court also directed the SSP to submit a report on the cases made against the journalists, lawyers and members of civil society on September 29. It directed the private TV networks to submit their footage on the next date of hearing, reported SANA.
Code of conduct: Meanwhile, on the direction of the court, senior counsel Khalid Anwar submitted a proposed code of conduct for media, lawyers, and police, which suggested that police should be used for the betterment of the society and not for political gains. It also suggested that police should always be in uniform, as they can enforce law more efficiently. It further said that media should be allowed to cover all the events in the country if they are not creating any hurdles to law and order.
Source: Daily Times
Date:10/24/2007
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