LHC furious at IG, calls students protest his ‘failure’

Lahore: The Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday said that regarding the recent incidents of student protests and the spread of fake news on social media, a full bench is being formed that will hear the case.

Chief Justice LHC Alia Neelam heard the petition filed to investigate the incidents of harassment in educational institutions, during which Inspector General (IG) Punjab Usman Anwar and other relevant officials appeared in the court.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked the IG why the video was not stopped from going viral. Did he contact any authority to stop the video? On this IG Punjab said that they contacted Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Justice Alia Neelam stated that today is 18, and the video went viral on the 13 and 14, they woke up when the fire had started and everything was burnt, and they contacted the concerned authorities very late.

IG Punjab told the court that the videos went viral from more than 700 accounts, and the police have only one agency to look into cybercrime. On this, the Chief Justice remarked: “IG sir, it is your failure that you let students come to the streets. Tell us about two days, what you did on October 14 and 15. Videos are available on X and TikTok even today”.

The Chief Justice said that after the documents were submitted, they did nothing for two days and started working on October 16. Who was responsible if anything happened to the girls who came to the streets? On this, IG Punjab replied that it is not so easy to prevent data from being uploaded and they do not have the authority. They can stop it from one account and then it will be reposted from another.

IG Punjab stated that police identified more than 700 accounts on which the videos were being posted. PTA has the authority to block them. ‘We have started working on it as much as we have the authority. Identified some accounts, but they have not been deleted yet’.

During the hearing, the court inquired from the Advocate General Punjab whether the government had done anything in this regard. On this, he answered that no rape victim has come forward till Monday, the rumor is that the alleged rape took place on October 9 or 10.

The Advocate General said that just because the girl was not coming to college, she was linked to the rumor of rape. If you say, I can make you meet this girl.

The Chief Justice further said that this case is very important and a full bench is being formed to hear it on Tuesday. It is a failure of the college administration. The statement of the girl should be taken. If found out that she was pressured for the statement, then be prepared for the consequences.

Justice Alia Neelam also stated that the full bench will hear about these recent incidents and the spread of fake news on social media. Director General (DG) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should investigate these recent incidents. Wherever women are present, male staff should not be there.

The court directed to form a committee under the chairmanship of DG FIA and summoned him in personal capacity for the next hearing.