The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court has dismissed a constitutional petition that sought a judicial inquiry into the brutal killing of nine-year-old Pakistani-origin Australian student Hania and the serious injuries sustained by her father and brother. Senior Judge Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan presided over the hearing and directed the petitioner to approach the appropriate legal forum for redressal.
Court Directs FIA to Decide on Inquiry Request
The court also instructed the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to decide, after hearing the applicant, on a request already submitted for an independent inquiry. The petition had been filed by Advocate Asif Mahmood, who argued that the police could not investigate allegations against themselves and demanded an inquiry by an independent agency.
Respondents Inform Court of Ongoing Investigation
During Friday's hearing, replies were submitted on behalf of the Punjab Inspector General of Police, the regional police officer, and the district police officer Chakwal. The respondents informed the court that a case had already been registered in Chakwal, the accused had been arrested, and the investigation was proceeding on merit. They stated that the challan was expected to be submitted next week and requested dismissal of the petition.
The assistant advocate general argued that since an FIR had been registered, the suspect arrested, and the investigation was in its final stages, there was no justification for constituting a judicial commission. The petitioner's counsel contended that indiscriminate firing by the CCD (Criminal Investigation Department) had killed Hania and stressed the need for an independent probe.
