SC orders report on action taken against police officers involved in illegal appointments

The Karachi registry of the country’s top court on Monday directed the Establishment Division to complete departmental proceedings against senior police officers involved in making illegal appointments in the Sindh Reserve Police (SRP) as well as in other irregularities and misconduct.

Hearing the matter pertaining to illegal appointments in the Sindh police department, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed also ordered that the Establishment Division submit a compliance report within a fortnight.

The SC asked the deputy attorney general (DAG) about action taken against the police officers of grade-18 and above against whom departmental proceedings have been ordered by the court.

The DAG told the bench that the report relating to departmental proceedings against high-ranking police officers has not been received yet, and sought time to submit it.

The court said that no further time will be allowed to the establishment secretary, and directed the federal law officer to submit a compliance report within two weeks. The bench observed that the establishment secretary will be held responsible in case of non-compliance.

The SC was earlier informed by the Sindh advocate general through his report that the statement of allegations against nine senior police officers was sent to the Establishment Division for disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the law and the service rules.

The nine police officers include former Sindh inspector general of police Ghulam Haider Jamali, Training Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shahab Mazhar Bhalli and Additional DIG Aitezaz Ahmed Goraya.

He said the competent authority has taken action against 22 police officers of the provincial government below grade-18 and their cases are pending at different stages.

Regarding the scrutiny of police personnel appointments, he said the process has been completed in 22 districts, and sought time for completing the scrutiny relating to appointments in the Sindh police.

In its suo motu proceedings, the SC had constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate into the illegal appointments made by the selection board in the SRP Hyderabad and other districts of the province.

The court observed that the inquiry committee shall examine every appointment made in all the wings, units and zones, including the different units of the SRPs, except those enquired by DIG Munir A Shaikh earlier, and in all the other districts of Sindh on a case-to-case basis, and record their findings.

The SC observed that if it were found that the appointments are illegal, they shall be removed from service after the required show-cause notice on the submission of the proposed report to the court, while action will be taken against the members of the selection board that recommended their appointments.

The court said the establishment secretary shall take action against the PSP (Police Service of Pakistan) officers who were members of the selection board and the Sindh chief secretary or any other competent authority shall take action against the provincial police officer who was the member of the board.