Posts in category: Crime & Court

The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment has imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on a government officer for allegedly mocking a female colleague over not having children, repeatedly comparing her to the transgender community, and running a humiliating campaign against her on social media.

According to the detailed judgment issued by the Federal Ombudsperson, merely using a person’s ethnic or linguistic references does not automatically amount to harassment. However, when language is deliberately used to humiliate, ridicule, or defame someone on the basis of gender, it clearly constitutes harassment and discriminatory conduct.

The judgment stated that the record established the accused had carried out a systematic campaign against his female colleague, during which multiple offensive messages were published online.

It further noted that the officer repeatedly used derogatory terms, created the title of a fake book, and fabricated the name of its author and publication details in an attempt to make the complainant a target of mockery and humiliation.

The Federal Ombudsperson held that the accused repeatedly targeted the complainant’s personal life, particularly her inability to have children, and used insulting language by comparing her to the transgender community.

The decision said this conduct was intentionally discriminatory and degrading on the basis of gender, with the purpose of damaging the female colleague’s dignity and defaming her in the professional workplace.

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The judgment further observed that using terms associated with transgender identity as insults or abusive language is not merely discourteous but also promotes harmful stereotypes against a vulnerable and marginalized section of society. Such conduct, it added, negatively affects not only the individual concerned but also the dignity and social respect of the transgender community.

The Federal Ombudsperson emphasized that there is no room for discriminatory, insulting, or harassment-based behaviour in the professional environment of any public or private institution. Such actions not only violate workplace codes of conduct but are also contrary to the fundamental principles of maintaining a safe, dignified, and equal working environment.

While imposing a fine of Rs500,000 on the government officer, the Federal Ombudsperson stated that the ruling would serve as an important precedent in discouraging harassment, gender-based discrimination, and humiliating behaviour within government institutions.

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of young doctor Akash, who was shot dead during a robbery near Teen Talwar in Karachi’s Clifton area. A police team has also been dispatched to interior Sindh as part of efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.

According to police sources, multiple teams have been formed to arrest those involved in the incident, with one team sent to interior Sindh to conduct further operations.

Police sources said investigators have obtained important information about the gang responsible for the robbery and shooting. They added that the gang is believed to include a woman.

Meanwhile, the funeral procession for Dr. Akash will depart from near Rehmat-e-Shireen in Clifton, while his last rites will be performed at the cremation ground located in Karachi’s Garden area.

Separately, CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the moments leading to the fatal shooting. The footage shows an armed robber running towards Dr. Akash’s vehicle before opening fire on a security guard standing nearby. The suspect then quickly opened the car door and picked up a bag filled with cash.

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According to the footage, the robber grabbed only one bag in haste, while a second bag remained in the victim’s hand. The assailant then shot Dr. Akash before fleeing the scene. The gunfire triggered panic, causing people in the surrounding area to scatter.

Dr. Akash’s uncle, Khem Chand, described the incident, saying that Dr. Akash’s father and cousin were also inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

Expressing grief over the incident, he said his innocent nephew was killed in broad daylight in front of everyone outside a bank. He added that the family belongs to the business community and is among the country’s well-known industrialists.

Criticizing the government’s handling of law and order, Khem Chand said the deteriorating security situation in Karachi has left citizens vulnerable, with children being killed in public. He urged Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and senior police officials to take immediate notice of the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

The Federal Constitutional Court has set aside the Supreme Court’s decision ordering the demolition of Monal Restaurant, marking a significant development in the case concerning the restaurant located in the Margalla Hills.

The court ruled that the issue of land ownership will be decided by the relevant trial court.

Accepting the appeals filed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Metropolitan Corporation, the Federal Constitutional Court observed that the land ownership dispute is still pending before a civil court. It held that the matter should therefore be decided by the trial court, which must do so without being influenced by the observations made in the Supreme Court’s earlier judgment.

The court also directed the trial courts to dispose of the pending cases at the earliest, while administrative matters should be left to the relevant regulatory authorities.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi remarked that several important legal issues had not been considered in the previous judgment. He observed that courts decide cases according to the law rather than emotions, and that judicial decisions should not include irrelevant observations. He further remarked that the earlier judgment contained several observations that were not part of the judicial proceedings.

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It is pertinent to note that on June 11, 2024, a Supreme Court bench headed by then Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had declared commercial activities in Margalla Hills National Park illegal and ordered the demolition of Monal Restaurant. The restaurant was subsequently demolished in compliance with the court’s order.

Following the Federal Constitutional Court’s latest ruling, the case has taken a new legal direction.

Sessions court in Lahore has extended the interim bail of PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar and his wife, Samira, in a case involving allegations of harassing actress Momina Iqbal and issuing death threats.

Additional Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui heard the interim bail petition. During the hearing, the petitioners argued that the NCCIA had registered the case contrary to the facts and requested the court to grant interim bail.

The investigating officer informed the court that Samira Chadhar has joined the investigation and that the inquiry is still underway. The officer said that the mobile phone containing the SIM allegedly used by the accused is required for forensic examination and requested additional time to complete the investigation.

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The court accepted the investigating officer’s request and extended the interim bail of Saqib Chadhar and his wife until July 28.

The court also directed the investigating authorities to submit a complete investigation report at the next hearing.

The NCCIA has registered the case on the complaint of actress Momina Iqbal.

A significant development has emerged in the case of the mysterious death of a 12-year-old domestic worker in Lahore’s Nasirabad area, with police rejecting allegations that the child was subjected to torture.

According to police, the preliminary examination suggests that the girl died due to food poisoning, adding that food particles were found in her throat.

Police further stated that no signs of physical torture were found on the child’s body. They said the exact cause of death will be determined after the forensic report is completed.

The girl’s family, however, has alleged that she was tortured and murdered by her employers.

The victim’s father, Javed, registered a police report against the employers. According to the complainant, his daughter, Kaneez Fatima, had been working at the residence of Sufi Ejaz for the past month. He said the employer’s daughter-in-law called him and asked him to come to Lahore from Faisalabad immediately.

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Javed said that when he arrived at the hospital with his brother and other family members, doctors informed them that the girl had been brought to the hospital dead.

Police have registered a case over the incident and arrested the suspect, Sufi Ejaz. The investigation is ongoing, while authorities say the forensic report will determine the exact cause of the child’s death.

LAHORE: A 10-year-old girl was found dead in the washroom of a tuition centre in Lahore’s Ichhra area in what police are investigating as an alleged murder.

According to police officials, the girl had left her home to attend tuition classes when her body was discovered in the centre’s washroom. Authorities said marks were found on the child’s neck.

Police said legal proceedings have been initiated and an investigation into the incident is underway.

Model Town SP Asad Ali arrived at the scene along with police personnel, where ASP Gulberg briefed him on the facts of the case.

According to the Model Town SP, the deceased, identified as Naeema, had gone from her home to the tuition centre before her body was found in the washroom. Her body has been shifted to the morgue for a post-mortem examination.

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