Senior civil judge from Rawalakot has complained to the Supreme Court Registry during hearing of suo moto case against child kidnappings in Punjab Wednesday that police were backing his son’s abductors.
Yousaf Haroon, the civil judge, maintained during the hearing that his son was abducted two years ago and is yet to be recovered.
While talking to media after the hearing, Haroon alleged that mobile phones and other data that was to be seized by police was ignored and not made part of court proceedings.
Supreme Court had taken suo moto action last month against growing incidents of abductions in Punjab, mainly Lahore. Additional Inspector General among other police officials was also present in the Supreme Court Registry for hearing.
Police presented a report to the court to which Justice Saqib Nisar of the two-member bench said that the worst observation in the case is that children were not being recovered. Police are the first body responsible for safe recovery of the children that are kidnapped, Justice Nisar said, adding that groups behind such organised crimes are not put together within days.
Concluding the hearing, the court formed a committee headed by Punjab Advocate General which was tasked to present a report within three weeks
The hearing was adjourned until August 25.
Civil Society counsel Asma Jahangir hailed suo moto action by the Supreme Court as the right use of the powers. Suo moto powers should be used for those who are vulnerable, she said. Children kidnappings have surged in the past month in the province mainly in Lahore.
Inspector General of Police stated last week that most the children that go missing leave their house due to violence or unpleasant relations and do not return.
Around 6,793 children were abducted in the last six years according to the police out of which over 6,200 have been recovered. Ministry of Human Rights took notice of the growing crime incidents and summoned a meeting this Friday in Lahore. Different organisations working for the welfare of children other related jobs have been asked to attend the session.
