A full bench of Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohammad Iqbal, and two District Police Officers along with two doctors, in the Judges' killing case of Sialkot Central Jail each against deposit of Rs 100,000 surety bond.
All the five government officials--DIG Police Mohammad Iqbal, District Police Officers Munawwar Hussain, Amjad Javed Saleemi, Medical Superintendent, Dr Mohammad Firdous and Dr Sajid Hussain--surrendered before the Apex Court after cancellation of their bails by Lahore High Court on January 26 after which they absconded.
Punjab Government has made four of them (officers) 'Officer on Special Duty' (OSD), except Amjad Javed Saleemi who was transferred to Balochistan from Punjab after the Sialkot tragedy in which four Civil Judges were killed during the operation against alleged accused of the incident.
The Court comprising Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Rana Bhagwandas and Justice M Javed Buttar adjourned the case for last week of this month with some observations.
The Court also issued notice to Advocate General Punjab to appear in person before it on the next date of hearing along with the record.
Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry took serious notice of the decision of the alleged accused Police Officers to escape from Lahore High Court premises after the cancellation of their bail by the said Court.
"Why did you (Officers) not surrender before the Court after the cancellation of bail by the Lahore High Court on January 26, 2005?" the bench said.
"Why did you (Officers) not abide by law although you are considered custodian of the law," Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry observed.
"You are always teaching lessons to abide by law to other people but not acting on it yourself," Justice Iftikhar said.
All the five officers who surrendered before the court also completed their attendance process along with original Identity Cards (IDs) before the officials of the court on the directive of the Bench.
Khawaja Sultan, Advocate, appeared as counsel for the DIGP Mohammad Iqbal. Dr Babar Awan, Advocate, appeared before the court as counsel of District Police Officer Munawwar Hussain.
The Bench rejected the request of Aftab Gull, Advocate, who appeared as counsel for the jailed Sikandar Hayat, a suspended Superintendent of Jail, Sialkot.
Ch. Musthtaq Ahmed Khan, Advocate, represented the state as special counsel of the Provincial Government of Punjab. Assistant Advocate General Punjab, Afshan Ghazanfar remained present in the court with record about the tragic incident which occurred on July 26, 2003 in the premises of Central Jail Sialkot.
When Ch Mushtaq wanted to argue on merit, the Court observed that "we would like to hear Advocate General first".
On reply to the court, Mushtaq said that his job was to explain that the government had compensated the legal heirs of the deceased Judges by way of one million rupees in cash, two million rupees for the construction of house and plot measuring one kanal to each.
The Court also directed Ch Mushtaq to complete the process of compensation without any further delay.
Attorney General of Pakistan may also be called at suitable stage, the Bench observed.
Four Civil Judges Saghir Anwar, Asif Mumtaz Cheema and Shahid Munir Ranjha were killed during a police operation conducted by the Elite Police Force in the prison on July 26, 2003.
Civil Judge Sharyar Bukhari died in hospital after four days of the incident due to bullet injuries.
Five under-trial accused, Shahbaz, Ijaz, Ashfaq alias Ishaq, Rafique and Munir alias Muniri, who made all the Judges visiting Central Jail Sialkot during their routine jail inspection were also killed in the operation.
Father of Shaharyar Bukhari, a deceased Judge, also appeared before the court and informed it that no compensation was extended for the legal heirs of the deceased Judges by the Provincial government so far.
He also informed the court about threats being received from various accused of the incident for forced compromise and withdrawal of the case before receiving the compensation announced by the government.
The Bench directed Chief Secretary Punjab to take care of the deceased families by ensuring already announced compensation to them.
It may be recalled here that the Lahore High Court and Anti Terrorist Court Gujranwala have already rejected their bail applications.
Two other civil judges Sibtain Raza and Javed Iqbal, were injured seriously, while the District and Sessions Judge, Sialkot, Ch. Zafar Iqbal, saved his life while taking shelter in the office of the Superintendent, Jail, Sialkot.
Four deceased Judges, along with two injured Judges, and Ch Zafar Iqbal along others including women prisoners were made hostages by criminals when they had gone for inspection of Sialkot Jail.
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