IHC orders IG police to submit report about ‘assault on Mohsin Baig in custody’

IHC says only person against whom FIR is registered can file petition

The Islamabad High Court has ordered inspector general of police Islamabad to submit a report on the alleged assault on journalist Mohsin Baig in custody.

The order came after the wife of recently arrested journalist Mohsin Baig, Shaila Mustafa, alleged at the Islamabad High Court that her husband was beaten up badly by the Federal Investigation Agency in jail.

IHC Chief Justice Minallah heard the petition on Friday, that was filed by Shaila Mustafa, seeking an annulment of the FIRs registered against the journalist. She also sought the recovery of her son.

The court remarked during the hearing that only the person against whom the First Information Report was registered can request the annulment. Justice Minallah said that a third party could not file a petition on the accused’s behalf.

Shaila Mustafa’s counsel, Latif Khoso argued that Baig was not being allowed to meet his family or anyone else. He further argued how the journalist could file an appeal since he was beaten and injured.

The court replied that they would order that Baig be allowed to meet his lawyers.

Justice Minallah then ordered the IG police to submit a report on the assault on Baig in custody.

Khoso requested that the court should not reject Shaila Mustafa’s petition, saying that the journalist would file a separate petition.

The court granted Baig some time while adjourning the hearing till Monday.