Daily Times

The Sindh High Court (SHC) expressed its anger at the Cantonment Board, Clifton, over its failure to demolish an illegal 11-storey building in Delhi Colony.

It heard a petition claiming that the court had ordered the building’s demolition but no step has been taken by the authorities.

Eleven-storey buildings are now being constructed in Delhi Colony and Punjab Colony, remarked Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi. “The buildings look like pigeonholes.”

The court asked who approved the building plan. The bench expressed its anger at the CBC for turning a blind eye towards such constructions. “What were you doing when the road was made?”.

The CBC lawyer said that the Sindh government is responsible for the building construction. The building falls within in limits of a katchi abadi, he added.

No one will ever work if you keep blaming each other, remarked the judge. The CBC has been given till March 7 to submit its reply in the case.

The Sindh Building Control Authority also came under the court’s radar over failing to demolish a building in Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s Block 13D despite orders.

The demolition was ordered in 2017 yet no action was taken, the petitioner told the court. The SBCA doesn’t even know what’s happening in the city, a judge remarked. The court has instructed the SBCA to submit a detailed report in the case on March 24.

Separately, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh Dr Kaleem Imam on Thursday appeared before the Sindh High Court (SHC) and said that the police have revisited its standard operating procedures (SOPs) adopted while probing the rape cases.

He said that the SOPs are now referred to the provincial cabinet for approval.

During a hearing at the top provincial court to review unsatisfactory probe into the rape cases, the IGP Sindh and officials from the provincial health department appeared before the court.

The top cop of the province and home department submitted their reports carrying recommendations to improve probe in rape cases.

The report said that 100 percent amounts were paid to conduct DNA tests in rape cases. “We have redrafted the SOPs to be followed by police while probing these cases,” the IGP said adding that the home ministry has also conveyed a summary to the chief minister for more funds required in the investigation process.

When asked from the court if the decisions have been ratified by the provincial authorities, the IGP Sindh said that the cabinet is yet to assent the recommendations.

The health authorities also submitted before the court that advance payments were made for performing DNAs in rape cases.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Sindh High Court expressed its dismay over the IGP Sindh during the hearing on February 13.

The court admonished the Sindh police authorities for their non-serious behaviour saying as to how a conviction could be made in such cases if there is a delay of two years in DNA reports.

The IGP Sindh offered the court to submit a detailed report regarding progress in all rape cases registered in the province within a week.