The Lahore High Court, Chief Justice (CJ), here Wednesday accepted unconditional apology tendered by special secretary Home Department who had been issued show cause notice for filing an illogical reply about possibility of paying ransom amount to a doctor who allegedly got his son released from kidnappers after paying Rs 04 million.
The Chief Justice, however, adjourned hearing till October 29 of suo motu case as a police officer sought more time for the arrest of kidnappers of the doctors' son.
The Chief Justice had directed the secretary to file a written reply explaining his position, however, he tendered an unconditional apology which the judge accepted. The secretary Shaukat Ali in his reply had stated, "Paying of ransom for recovery of abductees is in itself an unlawful act and cannot be rewarded."
The Chief Justice expressing displeasure on this reply had observed, "It means that if some relative or blood relation of a person is abducted and accused ask for ransom, he should not pay ransom and let the said abductee be murdered by the accused persons."
About a decision of Sindh High Court wherein provincial government was directed to pay ransom amount to families of two kidnapped judicial officers, Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif observed that the decision was given to the extent of the said incident only and was not to be applied as general. Moreover, the matter was still pending before Supreme Court.
The suo motu was taken on application of Dr Alamdar Hussain, who alleged that his son Athar (11) was kidnapped on May 09, 2010 and later was released on payment of Rs 04 million as ransom. He alleged that Rawalpindi police did not cooperate with him for the recovery of his son and also failed to nab the culprits. The doctor pointed out that Sindh High Court had ordered Sindh government to pay ransom amount to two kidnapped judicial officers. Family of the abducted judges had given Rs 04 million as ransom to the kidnappers.
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