Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Kaleem Imam on Monday ordered all the police officials to take strict action against those involved in lodging false complaints or cases at police stations. Registration of false complaints not only wastes time of police officials who have to investigate various cases of important nature, but also causes problems for other people, the IGP said.
He said registration of FIR sets into motion the entire criminal justice administration system involving police, prosecution, courts and prison department. It has been observed that there is presently an increasing tendency of false cases and there is dire need to check such activities through proper legislation and making this offence punishable with three years' imprisonment, he added.
He said people lodge false complaints in police stations over their rivalry with other parties and volley severe allegations on each other. There is dire need to check such practices and to make law further strict. False reporting of criminal cases must be made an offence, he added.
Sections 182 and 211 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) define and penalise the offence of false reporting of a cognisable offence through lodging FIR. These sections are not so far effective deterrence against the practice of false reporting because police cannot take cognisance of the offence committed under sections 182 and 211 of PPC and the punishment is also not sufficient.
The IGP Islamabad also directed all the SPs to ensure registration of cases in their respective circles and take strict action against those involved in false registration of cases. He said Station House Officer has the authority to check the real picture of any matter before registration of any case. However, if any one is found involved in delaying or refusing to register the genuine cases, he should not be spared. He said action has been taken against 84 fake litigants during the current year.