We'll see how transfers are made through exerting pressure: CJP

The Supreme Court on Friday began hearing a suo motu notice of the transfer of Pakpattan District Police Officer Rizwan Gondal following an alleged altercation with the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar is hearing the suo motu case.

As the hearing went under way, Justice Nisar asked, "What is this case? For the past five days, the whole nation has been discussing it."

"I keep repeating this, we want an independent police force," he remarked.

Justice Nisar continued, "If the transfer was made on the request of the chief minister or the person sitting next to him then this is not right."

The CJP also inquired where Jameel Gujjar and Khawar Maneka were.

"Why was the DPO asked to visit Maneka's house to apologise and why was he transferred at 1am?" Justice Nisar asked.

Further, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, "We will not tolerate political interference or influence."

To this, the CJP added, "We will see how transfers are made through exerting pressure."

The top court has summoned Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Umar Gondal, Inspector General Punjab Police and the Regional Police Officer in personal capacity. Meanwhile, inquiry officer has also been summoned along with his report on the matter.

The inquiry report has also been forwarded to IG Punjab. According to the report, Gondal was responsible for not conducting an inquiry against officers who misbehaved with Bushra Bibi's ex-husband Khawar Maneka.

Further, the report stated that the DPO 'twisted' the matter and shared it on social media.

Reports of Gondal’s transfer sparked a controversy earlier this week, as speculation suggested that the police officer was transferred because of the August 23 altercation between the police and Maneka.

According to reports, police personnel under Gondal’s watch tried to stop Maneka at a checkpoint for speeding but he did not stop. The police then chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him.

IG Punjab, soon after the reports, denied that Gondal was transferred under any pressure and said it was done due to his giving misleading statements about misbehaviour by police personnel with a citizen.

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