SC directs Secretary Interior to constitute new JIT for inquiry of court tragedy

ISLAMABAD: A two-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Tassadaqu Hussain Jillani directed Secretary Interior to constitute a new joint investigation team (JIT), headed by an independent and upright officer of Deputy Inspector General of Police for inquiry of Islamabad District Courts tragedy in which 11 persons were killed and 32 injured.
The bench also directed the Secretary to include representatives of the intelligence agencies with mandate to complete the inquiry within two weeks and submit report before the Supreme Court.
The bench of the Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the reports submitted by the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad pointing out some contradictions between the two reports and directed the Secretary Interior to submit a detailed report in the court after covering all areas of the tragedy including the numbers of assailants.
The bench also stopped all the stakeholders to issue statements on the issue saying that it could cause confusion during the conduct of inquiry.
Rao Naveed Advocate who is also son of deceased Rao Rashid advocate who was killed by the assailants on March 3, 2014 appeared before the court and requested the bench to allow him for the registration of separate FIR and directions may please be issued.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Tassadaqu Hussain Jillani and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard the point of view of Rao Naveed in detail and observed that "No separate FIR can be registered." However, the bench directed the Inspector General of Police Islamabad Sikandar Hayat to allow every one for recording statement before the police regarding the incident.
Mohsan Akhtar Kiyani, President Islamabad High Court Bar Association apprised the bench about compensation being paid to deceased and injured saying that the government announced Rs. 500,000 for each deceased and Rs. 75,000 for each injured which is not proper compensation.
The bench directed Secretary Interior to enhance compensation for deceased and injured even government should also consider jobs for a son or daughter of every deceased.
However, the bench asked Chief Justice Islamabad High Court to continue inquiry being conducted through a judge of the Islamabad High Court with direction to submit the report as completed.
Inspector General of Police appeared before the court and apprised the bench about the progress of the inquiry being conducted by the police and said that statements of 154 witnesses have already been recorded. Statements of lawyers will be recorded without delay.
The Inspector General of Police also briefed the bench about security measures taken and being taken for the security of District Courts Islamabad.
To a question raised by the bench regarding number of assailants, the Chief Commissioner Islamabad apprised the court that inquiry is in progress and "No final figure has been determined so far".
Tariq Asad Advocate and Riaz Hanif Rahi advocate appeared before the court and requested the bench to entertain the petitions filed by them separately on the same issue.
The bench accepted the request and directed the office to fix their petitions along with the suo motu case in future.
On the request of Taufeeq Asif Advocate, the bench directed the office concerned to club the petition filed by lawyers of Rawalpindi regarding security of lawyers of the twin cities.
The hearing of the case was then adjourned for March 17 (Monday)