
Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Ali Zia Bajwa on Monday castigated the Kasur police over the circulation of a video showing people arrested at a dance party, noting that such an act was “unacceptable in any society”.
Kasur’s Mustafabad police raided a farmhouse near Pakki Havali village on April 4, arresting 30 men and 25 women over allegations of obscene dancing and the use of loudspeakers and drugs.
However, the next day, a local court discharged the suspects from the case and ordered their release. Subsequently, Kasur District Police Officer (DPO) Essa Khan Sukhera suspended a total of five police officials involved in sharing a video of the suspects in custody.
Today, Justice Bajwa resumed hearing a contempt petition filed by Vishal Shakir, a lawyer, against the Kasur DPO for violating earlier court orders prohibiting the filming of detainees.
During the hearing, DPO Khan appeared before the court as per its April 11 order.
The judge then issued notices to three of the suspended cops — Station House Officer (SHO) Saqlain Bukhari, Sub-inspector Muhammad Sadiq and Constable Nadeem Nagi.
In December 2023, Justice Bajwa had restrained public functionaries from exposing under-trial/custody suspects to media coverage.
A press release issued by the police had denied recording any video of the suspects or releasing it in an “official capacity”.