Islamabad police registered a case over a clash that occurred during a New Year’s eve musical night at a private housing society, but later sealed the FIR for reasons that remain unclear, Dawn has learnt. The case was filed at Banigala police station by a management official of the society and cited violent incidents involving participants and security staff.
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The FIR was lodged under Sections 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), and 440 (mischief after preparation for causing death or hurt) of the Pakistan Penal Code. According to sources, the FIR was sealed on verbal orders from senior police officials, raising concerns over the legality of the action.
The musical event had been organised to celebrate the New Year, with tickets sold at Rs5,000 for families and Rs2,000 for individuals. However, tickets were reportedly sold beyond the venue’s capacity, and insufficient crowd control measures led to tensions when security staff restricted entry, prompting some attendees to protest.
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters and security personnel clashing, including stone-pelting and property damage. Legal experts say sealing FIRs violates court orders and constitutional rights, noting that the practice is illegal. In June 2019, Judicial Magistrate Rana Mujahid Rahim ruled that police cannot seal FIRs, describing the practice as “ill-motivated” and unconstitutional.
Retired Lahore High Court judge Chaudhry Abdul Aziz stated that police have no authority to seal FIRs, as the Police Rules require FIR copies to be provided to the complainant, magistrate, and investigation officer. Some senior officers, speaking anonymously, claimed Section 157(2) of the CrPC is being misused to justify sealing FIRs during preliminary inquiries.
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Attempts to reach Deputy Inspector General Jawad Tariq and Senior Superintendent Ali Raza Qazi for comment were unsuccessful. The incident has reignited debate over police practices and the protection of citizens’ legal rights during investigations.