Lahore:
The High Court of Lahore (LHC) ordered the defender General of Punjab (AGP) to supervise the formulation and the implementation of the Punjab police media policy, in the midst of increasing concerns concerning the public humiliation of the subcardment accused through online videos.
During the procedure Thursday, judge Ali Zia Bajwa asked the AGP to provide appropriate directives to the police service concerning the conduct of social media.
In addition, the Court has ordered the Additional Inspector General (AIG) to publish strict protocols for having given interviews with the media, warning that the police ‘supporters of the police (SPS) will be held responsible if an official is found violating these directives.
The guidelines came as a result of multiple incidents where police were found making videos of individuals under detention – including women – during raids, shaving suspects and downloading such content on social media platforms.
Judge Bajwa questioned the long -term impact of these media trials, noting: “What would be the fate of a person’s media trial if it is acquitted after two years?”
The court asked for a full report on the social media policy of the police service by April 25.
The LHC heard multiple petitions of contempt against the police, including a case involving a raid during a dancing evening in Kasur, during which the police filmed and downloaded videos of arrested people, including women.
In another case, videos have surfaced showing suspects, allegedly involved in the flight of kite and air shots, being shaved by officers.
Despite a clear directive of the LHC on December 13, 2023, strictly prohibiting the registration or public sharing of interviews or videos of people under the custody before legal proceedings, the violations persisted.
During the hearing on Thursday, the AIG submitted an investigation report confirming that a house officer (SHO) and two agents were found guilty of fault.
It was also revealed that the Personal Agent (PSO) of the district police officer Kasur was the brain behind the controversial raid of the dance party.
