By IRNA
Islamabad : The Chief Justice of Pakistan on Sunday issued notices to top government officials and police officers to appear before the court and explain as to why police beat lawyers, journalists and human rights activists on the occasion of
anti-Musharraf rallies.
Around 53 people including lawyers and journalists were injured when police fired tear gas, used batons and threw stones at protesting lawyers and human rights activists.
The Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan has taken Suo Motu notice of the incident of use of force and thrashing of lawyers and media persons by the police/law enforcing agencies in front of the Supreme Court and Election Commission of Pakistan.
HCJP has directed to place the matter before the court on 1st October, 2007, the court notice said.
Lawyers and political activists staged rallies against President Pervez Musharraf’s bid to seek re-election for the next five year term.
The rallies were organized when the Chief Election Commissioner approved the nomination papers of President Musharraf and his two main rivals.
Journalists, photographers and cameramen covering the protest were severely beaten and 8 were admitted to hospitals.
A TV journalist is stated to be in critical condition.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took Suo Motu notice of the police action on a report and ordered the Secretary Interior, Islamabad police chief and other police officers to appear in the court on Monday.
The court also asked the affected people to record their statement before the full bench.
The police officers were asked to present the security plan for the day as well as details about registered cases against lawyers and journalists.
The court also ordered that footages of TV channels about the violence should also be presented in the court.
A detailed report was also sought from Islamabad’s two hospitals about the injured and medical facilities to them.