The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared a police report unsatisfactory in a contempt petition concerning a viral social media video that showed handcuffed young men with shaved heads in Gujranwala. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa, in a written order from a previous hearing, emphasized that police officers have no authority to humiliate suspects or take the law into their own hands.
Court's Observations on Police Conduct
The court observed that no police officer is permitted to take the law into his own hands or subject an accused person to humiliation, including forcibly shaving their head or treating them in an inhumane manner. The order stated that shaving suspects' heads and recording videos for circulation on social media constitutes an attack on their dignity and self-respect. Such actions, the court noted, erode public confidence in the rule of law, transparency, and the justice system.
Justice Bajwa remarked that police officers must remember they are guardians of the law and duty-bound to uphold legal and constitutional protections. The court also pointed out discrepancies in the police report, noting that while the First Information Report (FIR) mentioned the arrest of only three suspects, the video showed nine individuals in handcuffs. The order said the police had failed to explain the identities of the remaining six handcuffed individuals seen in the footage.
Order for Further Inquiry
Ordering further inquiry into the matter, the court directed the Gujranwala regional police officer (RPO) to examine all aspects of the case and submit a comprehensive report. The petition was filed against the inspector general of Punjab Police, the Gujranwala city police officer (CPO), and others.
