ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday strongly condemned the killing of 22-year-old student, Osama Nadeem Satti, by the police, and sought a detailed report as well as urged the capital police high ups to take concrete measures to avoid such tragic incidents in the future.
The meeting which was presided over by Senator Rehman Malik expressed anger over the killing of 22 years old student in the capital city on Saturday last by the anti-terrorist squad (ATC) of the capital police. Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, during the meeting strongly condemned the killing of Satti.
"It was a great shock. A case has been registered against the five police personnel and action will be taken against them as per law," he said.
He said that the killing of innocent student was very damaging to our reputation.
He also said that law enforcement agencies were on high alert in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to terror threats.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Waqaruddin Syed, while briefing the committee said that the police received a call late at night around 01:30am that few dacoits in a white car have escaped, after committing a robbery in Sector H-13, jurisdiction.
Upon this, the ATS personnel deputed for patrol at the Srinagar Highway tried to stop a white Suzuki car but the car did not stop. The police personnel fired at the car which resulted in the death of the student, he said.
He further said that the court remanded all five accused into police custody, and all investigation with respect to the incident would be placed before the court during the next hearing.
Currently investigation was underway from the police personnel, he said, adding that it was a very sensitive case; therefore, it would be very premature to share something with the committee at this time.
Police will brief the committee as soon as the investigation completes, he said.
Syed said that a joint investigation team (JIT) headed by a senior superintendent (SP) of police was investigating the case. Malik told the DIG that the allegation levelled by the deceased's father should also be investigated.
He directed the police to complete investigation within 10 days, and produce the report before the committee. Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi said that did state institutions had the powers to shoot anyone? He also said that during the last 10 days ratio of street crime had significantly increased in the capital city.
Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad said that the failure of a constable was the failure of the command.
Police personnel should be provided proper training to avoid such kinds of incidents in the future, he said, adding that it should also be investigated that why those police personnel involved in that tragic incident were "trigger happy".
The committee discussed in detail the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2020 moved by Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi, seeking increase in punishment for rape.
Abbasi told the committee that rape was a heinous crime, an act of violence that ruins the lives of the victims.
In Pakistan, rape cases are reported and registered, however, the conviction rate of the accused are very low, he said, adding that the growing incidents of rape have necessitated that tough punishment should be doled out to the perpetrators.
He said that high courts should hear rape cases, and the accused should be given an opportunity for one-time appeal in the Supreme Court.
Rape cases should be decided within 30 days, and the convict should be hanged publicly, he said. Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem said that rape cases had increased in the country.
There is no doubt that without tough punishment it would be impossible to control rape cases but all parameters of justice should be fulfilled.
Malik said that an evidence act should be produced, in order to make geo-fencing and other electronic evidence admissible in the court.
Punishment should also be proposed for those who level false allegation in rape cases, he said. Senator Maqbool said, however, under the law, electronic evidence was admissible but the main problem was the admissibility of DNA.
DNA should be made fundamental evidence in rape cases, he said, adding that according to a court order, it has been declared secondary evidence.
When the committee sought comments from the official of the Ministry of Interior, he told the committee that the ministry has send letters to all the provinces for their comments regarding the matter. As soon as ministry receives response from the provinces, a report would be filed before the committee, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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