IHC chief justice slams police over negligence, rejects child rapist qari's bail petition

ISLAMABAD: A top Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge on Wednesday slammed the capital city's police over its negligence and inaction in child abuse cases, rejecting the pre-arrest bail request of a qari — religious teacher — accused of sexually abusing a kid.

In his remarks, the IHC chief justice, Athar Minallah, said the boy had been given to the qari for safe custody and the qari was supposed to protect him. When asked about the case probe, the investigative officer responded by saying those on whose behalf the case was filed should be asked about it, he added.

Justice Minallah noted that when such incidents were highlighted in the media, only then the police springs into action. What, he asked, would happen to a society that failed to protect its children?

The IHC chief justice further lambasted the police, saying an unnatural act was done with the child but the investigative officer did not know anything about the probe. Such incidents against children were rising in the society, he observed.

The judge said the police investigation was in a dismal state and, therefore, how could there be any progress?

The state, too, is not concerned about such incidents happening with the children, he remarked further.

Separately, police in their statement said they have arrested the qari from Islamabad Capital Territory's Bhara Kahu area. The deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police, Waqar Uddin Syed, added that the case has been reassigned to the superintendent of police (SP) for investigation.

The first investigative officer was removed and sent a show-cause notice, DIG Syed added, mentioning that the case would now be handled by a senior officer.

The accused was arrested under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Sections 328 and 328 A (cruelty to a child).