As it ordered IG Islamabad to probe Gill’s torture allegations, the IHC also sought report on his condition upon his arrival at Adiala from Prisons authorities.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday ordered the Inspector General of Islamabad Capital Territory Police Islamabad to conduct an inquiry into allegations of by Shahbaz Gill that he was tortured in custody.
The court also sought report from jail authorities as to why they delayed handing over Gill to the custody of federal investigators after the receipts of court orders to that effect.
The case was heard by Islamabad High Court (IHC) Acting Chief Justice Amir Farooq.
During the hearing, the court inquired whether any fresh medical report of Shahbaz Gill had arrived, and if there were any signs of violence in that report. Advocate General Islamabad Barrister Jahangir Jadoon told the court that the report did not speak of violence, but only mentioned a breathing problem.
The court asked IG Islamabad whether Shahbaz Gill had been tortured. When the AG tried to speak in response the judge cut him short, saying, “You are not the IG”.
“Let the IG speak”, the court told the AG. “It has been talked about everywhere for three or four days that Shahbaz Gill was tortured. You and I are not experts. It would be better to give an expert opinion on this.”
The IG told the court that no violence was done at all.
The judge also enquired where Shahbaz Gill was at that time, upon which Faisal Chaudhry Advocate told the court that Shahbaz was lying unconscious in PIMS.
The court then reminded Chaudhary of his assertion that he was not being allowed to meet Gill. The advocate then repeated his assertion that he had not been allowed to meet.
“I saw the picture of the time when he was being taken to the ward”, said Faisal Chaudhry. “Shahbaz Gill’s privacy is important to me. Otherwise I could show some more pictures”.
He further said that the president of the High Court Journalist Association was a witness, upon which the court asked if Gill had been beaten in front of journalists.
On which the court said that every day someone was remanded but no one took notice. “This is an important case, which is why the court is full at 4:30 pm”, he said. “This is a moment of concern for all of us.”
On this occasion, the medical officer of Adiala Jail appeared without the record. The court asked him to show the medical report of the day he received Shahbaz Gill.
The medical officer told the court that he did not have that report, on which the court was askance why he had come to the court.
“Did I call you for my treatment?” said the judge. “Prepare a preliminary report of the entire matter and submit it on Monday. I am issuing a notice to the Adiala Jail authorities on the conduct.”
The judge said he would issue a notice to the ICT to explain why all this was happening. He said if there was a deliberate obstruction of court orders tomorrow, he would summon the offenders for contempt of court.
On this occasion, PTI lawyers requested a judicial inquiry into the torture, maintaining they had no faith in the IG. The court said the IG’s report would be preliminary.
PTI lawyers requested permission to meet Shehbaz Gill in the hospital. The court granted their request but told them not to create a mob at the hospital. He judge said he would issue a written order in the matter.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till Monday, asking both the parties to return with their respective reports.
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