An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) released 32 individuals on Saturday who were arrested in connection with the D-Chowk protest, citing the police’s failure to conduct an identification parade.
Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who was presiding over the case, issued the ruling after reviewing the matter. The detainees had been sent for identification parades but were only presented in court late at night. Judge Zulqarnain warned that if these individuals were re-arrested, the police officers involved would face consequences.
The investigation officer explained that the protesters had been arrested on November 25, but the identification parade could not be conducted. The officer had requested a 30-day physical remand for each suspect.
Defence lawyer Ansar Kiyani argued that the police’s failure to conduct the identification parade led them to seek remand for recovery purposes.
In response, the court ordered the removal of handcuffs from the accused within the courtroom and discharged them from the cases. The individuals, arrested in connection with cases at Margalla and I-9 police stations, were released.
Earlier, the ATC had summoned the Islamabad deputy commissioner for failing to present the suspects arrested from D-Chowk for the identification parade.
Judge Zulqarnain issued the directive during a hearing, expressing dissatisfaction with the suspects’ non-appearance for the identification process. He instructed that the deputy commissioner appear in court and explain the situation.
The judge also summoned all relevant assistant commissioners and criticized the lack of coordination, stating, “Police officers stand outside the jail, but the suspects for the identification parade are not handed over.”
Additionally, the court instructed the police to submit case challans promptly and directed Prosecutor Raja Naveed to ensure the DC appears in court within 30 minutes.
