Web Desk (LTN NEWS): Acting Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamir Farooq in a 21-page written order ruled on Wednesday that the claims of torture against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader “cannot be ignored”, asking the Ministry of Interior to undertake an inquiry into them.
The judge additionally directed the interior ministry to appoint an inquiry officer under the supervision of a retired high court judge.
The PTI leader had been arrested for sedition and inciting the people against state institutions earlier this month.
Yesterday [Tuesday], while disposing of the plea against the further physical remand of Gill to the police, Justice Farooq directed that during the physical remand of Gill, an officer of the rank of senior superintendent of police should supervise and ensure that no violence was inflicted on Gill.
In the detailed order today, the court said that the IG Islamabad denies Gill’s claims of torture and that according to Adiala Jail’s medical officer’s record, when the PTI leader arrived he had “multiple injuries and marks” on his body.
As per the norms dealing with prisoners, Gill should have had a medical evaluation immediately, and observed the thorough verdict. It further stated that the jail authorities were obligated by the law to notify the injuries to the sessions court and the in-charge prosecution.
However, the court said that “the jail authorities failed to notify Shahbaz Gill’s abuse to the sessions judge or the advocate”.
The court also claimed that a medical board was created on August 13 and 15, but according to the police Gill “refused to undergo medical examination”.
When the board submitted a report on Gill’s health, the court remarked that “no indication of torture was made”.
“Torturing the accused cannot be tolerated under the pretense of acquiring evidence,” read the written decision.
“The Constitution and the courts are the guardians of inmates’ rights and protectors against torture,” it read.
“Allegations of torture against Shahbaz Gill,” the court stated, “cannot be ignored” as it ordered the interior ministry to undertake a thorough inquiry on the case and urged the supervising officer to ensure Shahbaz Gill does not experience torture during his confinement.
Case expulsion plea adjourned indefinitely
Meanwhile, the hearing on the PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s request for the removal of the sedition charges against him was extended indefinitely.
On August 15, Gill – who is the chief of staff of PTI Chairman Imran Khan – had moved the IHC for the quashing of the sedition case against him, stating that the police had arrested him merely to satisfy the current government.
“This is an expulsion request,” Justice Farooq commented as he directed the lawyers to review a 2012 judgment of the Supreme Court.
Gill’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen requested a copy of the applicant’s transcript as well as certified copies of the court’s 2012 order.
The prosecution also asked for extra time to file supplementary documents.
The judge told that he will not be accessible in court for two weeks before adjourning the case indefinitely.
‘Illegal weapon possession’
A day earlier, Shahbaz Gill was booked in a related case, pertaining to the carrying of prohibited firearms.
Two days before, the Islamabad police had raided Gill’s room at Parliament Lodges, where guns, mobile, and satellite phones were discovered.
The PTI leader had stated that the weapon was licensed and possessed by his driver. The police had asked him to produce the license but Gill could not produce it despite a passage of several hours.
Later, a case for possession of illegal firearms had been registered against Gill at the Secretariat police station.
