LAHORE (The COW News Digital) The Lahore High Court has sought a detailed report from the Punjab Inspector General of Police on pending challans and cases under investigation, expressing concern that police negligence and delays are contributing to the growing backlog of cases in courts.
The court also directed the Punjab police chief to present the department’s mechanism for addressing delays in investigations and submitting challans on October 19.
Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court heard a post-arrest bail petition filed by Muhammad Saim in a double murder case registered at Raiwind City Police Station in 2020. The petitioner’s counsel argued that the accused had remained in jail for six years while the investigation and trial had yet to be completed.
According to the petition, the police had failed to complete the investigation and produce witnesses in a timely manner, preventing the trial from reaching a conclusion despite the prolonged detention of the accused.
The Punjab Inspector General of Police appeared before the court in compliance with its order.
During the hearing, the chief justice questioned whether the police chief had examined the case and criticised the delays caused by police officials. The court observed that police inefficiency was placing an additional burden on the judicial system and affecting the progress of criminal proceedings.
The chief justice asked what steps the police department had taken to resolve the problem and ensure that investigations and court proceedings were completed without unnecessary delays.
Responding to the court, the Punjab IG stated that the challan in the case had remained pending before the court for two years.
The chief justice subsequently questioned when the accused had been arrested and why the police had not taken the necessary action earlier.
The court also referred to a report indicating that police had arrested another suspect when the recording of evidence was already underway. According to the court’s observations, such developments had contributed to the failure to conclude the trial even after six years.
The government counsel informed the court that 11 suspects were involved in the case.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the prolonged proceedings, the chief justice questioned whether the court itself was responsible for the delay, observing that judges were performing their duties but police negligence was preventing cases from moving forward.
The court directed the Punjab IG to submit details of pending challans and cases still under investigation, along with the police department’s procedures for preventing similar delays.
It further stated that the report submitted by the police chief would be examined in chambers. The court also granted additional time for the investigation to be completed and witnesses to be produced.
In his petition, Muhammad Saim sought post-arrest bail, arguing that he had spent six years in detention without completion of the investigation and trial. He requested that the court order his release on bail in view of the prolonged delay.
The court’s directions are expected to bring greater scrutiny to the handling of pending criminal investigations and the police procedures responsible for delays in the prosecution of cases.
