Sukkur Court Directs Legal Action Against Police Officials for Alleged Hotel Raid and Theft
In a significant judicial development, the Additional Sessions Judge of Sukkur, Mr Javed Hussain Mirani, issued an order on Thursday mandating the registration of a case against 15 police officials. The accused include Incharge Kashif Channa, Rajab Ali Ghamro, and Ghaffar Mirani, who are alleged to have engaged in serious misconduct involving a hotel raid, theft, and unlawful detentions.
Details of the Alleged Incident at Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Hotel
The complaint was filed by Syed Wilayat Ali Shah, the owner of the Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Hotel and Restaurant located on Barrage Road in Sukkur. According to the complainant, on December 12, a group of police officials forcibly entered the hotel premises. They reportedly broke open lockers and stole cash amounting to Rs1.8 million, along with prize bonds, in a brazen act of theft.
Furthermore, the police detained the hotel's tenant, Munir Ahmed, during the incident. He was released later, but the stolen cash and valuables were not returned to him. When Munir Ahmed attempted to seek the return of these items, he faced threats and was illegally detained once again, compounding the alleged violations.
Judicial Intervention and Court Order
After the complainant approached the local police and the ASP City Sukkur for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), no action was taken initially. Instead, a false FIR No. 432/2025 was registered against Munir Ahmed, adding to the grievances of the hotel owner.
In response, the court invoked sections 22-A and 22-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertain to the powers of the court to direct the registration of cases in instances of police inaction or misconduct. The judge has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sukkur to register a case against the accused police officials and submit a detailed report on these serious violations. This order underscores the judiciary's role in addressing alleged abuses of power and ensuring accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct in certain regions and the importance of judicial oversight to protect citizens' rights. It serves as a reminder of the legal mechanisms available to individuals when faced with such incidents, aiming to restore public trust in the justice system.
