Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered for allocation of funds in every district/range of the province for DNA purposes with the directives that no delay shall be caused with regard to payment of DNA cost. SHC also directed Police department to establish Victim Support Centers in every district of the province to redress the grievances of victims of various crimes.
A single bench of SHC headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar issued these directives in a case related to 'A' class cases in Sindh when it appreciated Sindh Police for establishing Victim Support Centers in Karachi. SHC had asked IGP Sindh to establish cells with regard to 'A' class cases in every district of the province and ensure that culprits are arrested, however such report is not yet filed with this regard, court order stated on Friday.
Focal person of SSP Investigation, however contended that Victim Support Service Cell Programme is working and such centers are established in Karachi which provide every assistance to the victim/ complainant/aggrieved person. This, however, would not be taken as an exception to undeniable obligation of the police to unveil every single offender, court stated.
Counsel for the applicant contended that in heinous cases, Police department should ensure that if case is assigned to specific person (Investigation Officer) it should not unnecessarily be transferred, thereby he would be capable to complete his task.
Court ruled that the suggestion appeared to be reasonable and in line with purpose of investigation which, once initiated by an Investigating Officer, always begs for its uninterrupted completion. Court observed that quarter concerned shall appreciate it while assigning investigations, particularly of heinous crimes. Court also directed Magistrates shall examine file of A-class and steps taken by Investigation Officers, in case of any negligence, mater shall be referred to concerned authority.
Court directed to issue notice to provincial law secretary with order to submit a report whether Law department is working on Sindh Criminal Courts Rule or done any legislation on it which the high court ordered. Court directed IGP Sindh to ensure that these rules are provided to every police station especially to the investigation officer if framed. Court also issued orders to district & sessions courts to ensure that they shall maintain the record as provided under the said rules.
SSP ACLC submitted before the court that about 54,000 cases are pending in 'A' class. AIGP Legal requested further time to update the web site on 'A' class cases as a team of officers has been constituted to update website with regard to 'A' class cases.
He, however, contended that as per his information figures of 'A' class cases in Karachi, it will grow from 100,000 and in overall Sindh it will be more than 150,000, in which FIRs are pending as criminals are yet to be arrested.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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