Lawyers beat women counsel, policeman

LAHORE-IN two separate incidents, unruly lawyers crossing all limits of decency thrashed two female colleagues and an assistant sub-inspector of police on the Session Courts premises .

In the first incident of lawyers’ hooliganism, a lawyer named Rana Arshad along with his clients Nabeela Bibi, Sakina Bibi, Abdul Ghani, Abdurazaq and Aslam thrashed female lawyers Ishrat Ara and Samina Kashif outside the courtroom of Additional District and Sessions Judge Mah Rookh Aziz Tarar.

Later, Ishrat Ara registered an FIR in Islampura police station. She said that Rana Arshad and his clients thrashed her and her colleague.
On the contrary, Rana Arshad said that Ishrat and Samina Kashif first attacked on Nabeela who had been rapped by ASI Fatah Sher, husband of Advocate Ishrat Ara. He said that DIG Mubashar Ullah conducted an inquiry that established Fatah Sher and Ishrat Ara guilty. Later, on the directions of DIG Mubshar Ullah, an FIR was registered against them, Rana Arshad said.
On Wednesday, Advocate IShrat Ara appeared in court to attend proceeding of her bail petition when she having grudge against Nabeela attacked on her, Rana Arshad said. He said the only option left was to beat her after Ishrat attacked him.

The other incident happened outside the courtroom of Additional District and Sessions Judge Malik Mushtaq Elahi where ASI Zohaib Ali was standing to attend proceedings of a habeas corpus petition.

Meanwhile, a group of lawyers, including Advocate Abdur Rasheed, Shahid Rasheed, gathered and started abusive language against the ASI. The ASI requested the lawyers to stop humiliating him but this request of police officials flared up the lawyers and they started manhandling the ASI. The group of lawyers slapped the ASI and took him to the barroom while dragging him on the floor. Lawyers also tore the uniform of the ASI.

It has learnt that after happening of the episode the Islampurra DSP reached the barroom and surprisingly asked the ASI to sing on a compromise deed but the ASI refused to do so, saying that lawyers had humiliated and thrashed him without any reason. On this, lawyers extended severe threats to the ASI but the ASI did not bother to sign the deed.

It has also learnt that the Islampurra DSP also pressurised the ASI to sign the deed but the ASI refused, saying that he could give his life but would not compromise as the lawyers manhandled him illegally and without any justification.

Later, the DSP took the ASI to police station where ASI registered an FIR against Advocate Abdur Rasheed, Shahid Rasheed and 25 other unidentified lawyers under Sections 186, 253,365,342 and 506 of PPC.

ASI Zohaib while talking to The News said that on May 8 a bailiff approached Green Town police station accompanied by the aforesaid advocate in search of a person named Zafar. Zafar was in the room of Moharrar.

The bailiff had directed them to visit court and he was present outside the courtroom in this regard.

He said that he was still unaware what he had done as a result of which he had to face humiliation and beating from lawyers.