The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the registration of a criminal case against officials of the Crime Control Department (CCD) over the alleged illegal detention of a citizen, after ruling that CCTV footage contradicted the department’s version of events.
Justice Amjad Rafiq issued the order while hearing a petition filed by Maqsooda Bibi, directing the Okara district police officer (DPO) to register a first information report (FIR) against the officials concerned and submit a compliance report within 15 days.
According to the petition, Gulfam Ali was released from jail on June 27 but was immediately taken into custody outside the prison by individuals in plain clothes.
During the hearing, the court reviewed CCTV footage provided by the superintendent of Lahore District Jail. CCD Inspector Akhtar Ali told the court that Gulfam had been arrested in connection with a criminal case registered in Okara on July 2. However, Justice Rafiq observed that the video evidence contradicted the CCD’s account.
The judge held that submitting an incorrect report to the court and unlawfully detaining a citizen constituted cognisable offences, warranting criminal proceedings. The court subsequently ordered the Okara DPO to register an FIR against the officials involved and submit a report after complying with the directive.