SC directs police to provide protection to Joseph Colony residents

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan resumed hearing the Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh suo moto case here on Monday and ordered police to provide protection to the residents of the affected colony, Geo News reported. The court has adjourned the hearing till March 25.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the suo moto notice of the incident, in which over 100 homes in the Christian neighbourhood were ransacked and set ablaze by an angry mob on March 9 after an individual from the area was accused of blasphemy.

During today’s proceedings, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that judicial enquiry is carried out only as a ‘face saving’ activity. He said that an officer was retained despite the judicial commission had recommended against him in the Gojra incident.

The CJ continued saying that why the court should provide its enquiry officers if the recommendations are not implemented. He stated that the judicial officer faces embarrassment if the recommendations by the judicial commission are not enforced.

The Chief Justice passed these remarks after Advocate General Punjab demanded judicial enquiry in order to unearth facts behind the incident.

On the occasion, Justice Gulzar remarked that no party including police is trying to find out the facts behind the incident and the court is constantly hearing the case.

Advocate general Punjab told the bench that no evidence or proof was found regarding vacating the area to inhibit others.

On this, the Chief Justice remarked that it will be found out soon that who is interested in the Joseph Colony plot.

The court, then, ordered police to provide security to the lives and assets of the residents of Joseph Colony and said that it is police responsibility to do so. However, it has remained unsuccessful in carrying out honest and transparent investigation into the incident so far.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till March 25.