LHC directs IG Punjab to immediately change formats of character certificate

LAHORE
Lahore High Court (LHC) while expressing resentment for not making desired amendment in police character certificate despite court’s order has directed IG Punjab to immediately change formats of character certificate.
The court maintained that there should be separate formats for convicted and acquitted persons so that the record of innocent person is not tainted.
The contempt of court plea filed by one Mubashar came up for hearing before Justice Abher Gul Khan.
IG Police, DIG IT Mansoor ul Haq and others appeared on court’s orders.
The counsel for the petitioner took the plea during the hearing of the case that the name of petitioner was not removed from criminal record of police despite his acquittal from the case while the court had already ordered to correct the record.
The petitioner requested the court through the petition that contempt of court proceedings be initiated against DIG Mansoor ul Haq and other responsible officers for not complying with court’s orders.
During the hearing the court expressed dissatisfaction over the format of existing police character certificate remarking there should be separate character certificates for convicted, acquitted and non convicted persons so that no one is shown criminal despite one’s acquittal from case.
IG Punjab told the court police character certificate system is automated completely.
Upon it the court directed separate proforma be prepared for criminal persons and sent to DPOs in all over the province besides correcting the record immediately as per court’s orders.
The court while directing IG Punjab to make necessary amendment in formats of character certificate adjourned the hearing of the case till July 6.