ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) barred on Monday the police from unnecessarily harassing the citizens.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, while hearing a plea of former advocate general Niazullah Niazi against police action on the possible long march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), after Niazi had been asked by Islamabad police to submit surety bonds. “The police could not satisfy the court on the legality of taking surety bonds,” the court said.

“The IHC should be satisfied on next hearing regarding the lists made by police,” it ordered.

During today’s hearing, the Islamabad police presented a report before the court. “What kind of lists are you making?” the IHC chief justice questioned.

“The list has been made by the IG. We have asked for surety bonds,” the state council told the court.

“This is harassment. How can you work on it? How can you phone him like that? He is a former advocate general,” the chief justice expressed indignation.

“This report had been made by the Special Branch and given to the IG who then gave it to us,” the police officials told the court.

“Who had called the petitioner?” the IHC chief justice inquired from the police officials.

“I had called and asked him to submit the surety bonds,” Banigala police Sub-Inspector Azmat Bajwa said.

“Under which law had the police sought the surety bonds?” the court inquired further.

“We had sought surety bonds due to peace disruption,” the police officials replied. “A magistrate can order to submit surety bonds. Police cannot do that,” the petitioner’s lawyer said.

“The way that had been adopted by police to seek surety bonds was legally not correct,” the IHC chief justice stated. He also ordered the state council to satisfy the court over the list prepared by the Special Branch on next hearing.

The court also barred the police from harassing the petitioners and citizens till the next hearing. The court then adjourned further hearing of the case till next week.