The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed that a petition challenging the wrongful involvement of a 12-year-old boy, Muzzammil, in car theft cases be scheduled for hearing, despite objections. Justice Shahbaz Rizvi presided over the hearing, in which multiple police officials from Kasur, including the Inspector General (IG), were named as respondents. The petition claims that police officers, acting on the instructions of a political figure, falsely implicated the minor in multiple cases. Muzzamil was allegedly arrested in two cases that were filed after his detention, with no evidence linking him to the crimes.

Furthermore, the judicial magistrate in Allahabad, Kasur, had granted physical remand in all cases and later sent the child to judicial custody. The petition also alleges that police demanded a bribe of Rs 250,000 for his release, but despite payment, Muzzammil continued to be implicated in false cases. The petition calls for the dismissal of all FIRs against the minor, an inquiry by the IG Punjab, and a medical examination of the child by the Kasur jail superintendent. Following the arguments, the LHC has ordered the petition to be set for hearing, addressing the objections raised.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan