The inspector general of police Punjab and regional police officer did not ask former Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Gondal to seek an apology from Khawar Maneka, an inquiry report stated, a private TV channel reported on Saturday.
A few days back, the Punjab government had transferred Gondal, who is accused of misbehaving with Khawar and his daughter on two separate occasions. However, Gondal said he was victimised. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken a suo motu notice of Gondal’s transfer. During the hearing, the former DPO was asked to submit an affidavit. The chief justice had remarked that it was wrong if Gondal was transferred over orders from Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar or anyone close to him. However, as per an inquiry report prepared by Punjab Additional IG Abu Bakr Khuda Baksh over the transfer of Gondal, it has been found that neither Punjab IGP Kaleem Imam nor the RPO asked Gondal to seek apology from Maneka.
The inquiry report states that the issue between Khawar and Gondal was created over two incidents that took place on different dates – one on August 5 and the other on August 23. The situation further complicated following the August 23 incident in which police tried to intercept Khawar at a checkpoint but he did not stop. The police chased him down and asked to get his vehicle checked, but Khawar refused. The report also states that Khawar phoned Gondal to seek help on that day.
The enquiry report is based on 11 pages for which 17 police officers were probed, including the former DPO. It is prepared by the additional IG who is said to have previously investigated major cases in the police department.
Published in Daily Times, September 2nd 2018.
