It is an established fact that an investigation in any crime is imperative for catching the real perpetrators. Whereas most of the Police officials who are consigned to the investigation team are using malpractice in conducting the investigation, or have a questionable reputation due to nefarious behaviours in the past, they are still trusted to get the right result in the end Investigation officers have no obligation in law to be the arbitrator of the law, as this leads to opportunities for corruption. The rich and powerful just pay off the police officials, who then use coercion to make sure that the case goes in their favour.
According to experts opinion it is quite difficult to implement reforms in our Police investigation departments because they have been acting as clusters of corruption, from the lower to upper levels. Most cases under discussion in this article show the loopholes used by the investigation officers to undermine the determined settled rules for acquitting the culprits from charges.
In one case, investigation officials not only asked for bribe from the affected but also demoralized them by highlighting the power of criminals. A girl who was raped and brutally tortured not only changed the statement because of fear generated by culprits through different channels but also denied the presence of siblings of powerful politicians who took part in the crime. In another case, when the murderers agreed on a diyat settlement with the affected family, the Police officer in charge demanded quarter of the whole amount to meet his deployed interests in the deal.
Government departments such as anti corruption can play a strategic role in putting barriers in the gathering, dispersal and circulation of corruption money, and catch the people responsible, yet not much has been done in this regard. According to analysts, many Police officials have raised concerns over the sub standardized facilities which are provided to them, yet they remain silent over the corruption they engage in that amounts to billions of rupees over the years.
A girl who was raped and brutally tortured not only changed the statement because of fear generated by culprits through different channels but also denied the presence of siblings of powerful politicians who took part in the crime
Further according to experts from law, it is unfortunate for the justice system when only the Police report is considered as the final overlook on the whole case, mostly by the judiciary. Many times, the case is manipulated by exaggerating facts against the party who is unable to pay a specified amount or favour to the investigation officers. Recently a Police investigation team delayed its raid on culprits who were involved in human trafficking, allowing them to escape. When a girl who managed to escape from their clutches was again kidnapped by the same culprits, Police were informed but once again they took no action.
It’s an established fact that investigation teams in the Police are considered unprofessional and are involved in malicious practices. According to the opinion of an analyst, our investigation system still needs more than five to six years of consistent changes to weed out the problematic officers and replace them with a professional investigation staff who are well trained and act in for the benefit of society.
Imran Khan, the new hope for the country, has shown in the KPK that change can be implemented in the Police, and reforms can work to improve the security situation in the country. Yet, it will take more than a few days for this change to have practical positive effects, as the corrupt factions within the police will do everything in their power to keep the current status quo in place for as long as they possibly can.
The writer is a practicing lawyer and freelance contributor. He can be contacted on [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, October 3rd 2018.