Lahore Police Officials Granted Pre-Arrest Bail Amidst AGP Mansoor Awan Case
A Lahore sessions court has granted pre-arrest bail to six police officials nominated in a case related to the raiding of Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan’s residence. The individuals, who were booked along with Ijaz Haider and other police personnel involved in the incident, have been allowed till August 12 to surrender their firearms.
The court heard bail petitions filed by the six officials on Wednesday, which were reviewed by Additional District and Sessions Judge Zulfiqar Ahmed Naeem. The judge directed each petitioner to furnish surety bonds of Rs50,000 as a condition for granting pre-arrest bail. He also ordered them to join the investigation into the matter.
The police had approached the court apprehending their arrest in connection with an FIR registered by Sarwar Road police on July 27 after a raiding party led by Ijaz Haider scaled the main gate of Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan’s residence. The cops allegedly harassed employees present inside and damaged flower pots placed outside the house during the operation.
A total of 11 policemen were booked in connection with the incident, according to the FIR. At the time of the raid, the attorney general was not in Lahore due to a prior engagement.
The police claim that they conducted the raid on a tip-off about the presence of some suspects in a neighbouring house but mistakenly entered Awan’s residence instead. The officials involved have been booked under Section 148 and other relevant provisions for their alleged role in the incident.
This development comes amid growing public interest in the AGP Mansoor Usman Awan case, which has garnered significant attention due to its implications on Pakistan’s judicial system and national security. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this pre-arrest bail ruling will impact the proceedings against the accused officials involved.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
