Police Doesn’t Produce Witnesses For 6 Years, Then Says Judiciary Is Flawed”: LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum Comes Down Hard On Punjab Police

LAHORE : In a rare and scathing rebuke to the law enforcement machinery, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ms. Justice Aalia Neelum on Monday slammed Punjab Police for its poor performance, chronic delays, and alleged manipulation of complainants, observing that the judiciary is blamed for failures that originate from the police itself.

The Chief Justice was hearing a petition related to a cheque dishonor case where police has failed to conclude proceedings for years.

*”What Can Judiciary Do If It Cannot Speak?” – Chief Justice*

During the hearing, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum made a series of hard-hitting observations about the working of police:

She remarked that police does not produce witnesses for six years at a stretch and then the narrative is built that the judiciary is flawed.

> “Police does not produce witnesses for 6, 6 years and then says judiciary is flawed. What should judiciary do if it cannot even speak? Judiciary is flawed because it cannot say anything,” the Chief Justice observed.

She noted that courts do impose fines on police for non-compliance, but it has no deterrent effect.

> “Courts impose fines on police, but they still do not improve.”

On the practice of stopping salaries of police officers for non-appearance, she said:

> “We order to stop salaries of police officers, but what difference does it make to them if a little salary is stopped?”

The Chief Justice said when police does not comply with court orders, the court is forced to summon senior officers, yet the blame falls on the judiciary.

*Pressure On Complainants & Computerized FIRs*

Chief Justice Neelum flagged two major malpractices she said have become routine.

First, pressuring complainants to withdraw cases:

> “Now police will bring the complainant in the morning by pressurizing him and make him withdraw the case. Police pressurizes the complainant, but judiciary is flawed. After coming out of the court, the complainant starts getting harassed again. Cases where the complainant withdraws the application are liked by police officers.”

Second, manipulation in computerized FIR system:

> “Matters are getting worse due to FIRs being registered on computer by police. In computerized FIRs, police inserts whatever it wants into the FIR. It adds things of its own choice.”

*The Case Before Court*

The instant case relates to accused Shahbaz Noor, against whom an FIR for dishonoring a cheque worth Rs. 2 million was registered. According to court record, police submitted challan in 2021 but did not arrest the accused since then, leaving the trial stalled.

Assistant Advocate General Punjab Waqas Umar and Deputy Attorney General Rafaqat Dogar appeared on behalf of the state.

The court has sought compliance reports and adjourned further proceedings.

*Why This Matters*

Justice Aalia Neelum’s remarks have once again highlighted the deep-rooted friction between the judiciary and police in Punjab. The LHC has in recent months repeatedly expressed concern over:

1. Non-production of witnesses and absconding accused
2. Delays in submission of challans and forensic reports
3. Alleged use of computerized FIRs to add extra sections at will
4. Harassment of complainants to force compromise

Legal experts say such remarks from the Chief Justice herself signal that the High Court may now consider stricter judicial oversight, including personal appearance of CPOs/DPOs and contempt proceedings in cases of persistent non-compliance.