Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Justice Aalia Neelum, sharply criticized police officials on Thursday over what she described as a “highly non-serious” and inconsistent approach in the six-year-old disappearance case of Fauzia Bibi. The woman’s family had long claimed she was taken by a jinn, a narrative the court firmly rejected during the proceedings.
The case—registered in 2019 at Kahna police station—has seen little progress over the years. DIG Investigation Zeeshan Raza appeared before the court but was unable to provide satisfactory explanations for major gaps in the inquiry, prompting Justice Neelum to take the case record into her own custody.
The hearing was held on a petition filed by Hamidan Bibi, with DIG Zeeshan Riaz, DIG Legal Malik Owais Ahmed and several other senior police officials present. Justice Neelum expressed strong concern over the department’s inconsistent statements and the leak of the abducted woman’s photograph on social media.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice reprimanded the DIG for failing to answer basic questions, making it clear that she would thoroughly review the police file and take strict action if negligence was found. She also questioned why the missing woman and her siblings were never registered with NADRA, noting that proper records could have aided investigators significantly.
When the petitioner’s lawyer stated that the in-laws believed a jinn had taken Fauzia, Justice Neelum dismissed the claim outright, stressing that individuals do not vanish without explanation and that such narratives cannot substitute factual investigation.
The court reviewed a report submitted by the DIG but raised questions about DSP CCD Model Town Hasnain Haider and his gunman Ikram, whose involvement in the case remained unclear. Justice Neelum demanded clarification on which officers Ikram had served with, why Fauzia’s photograph was circulated online and what disciplinary actions had been taken. The DIG assured the bench that proceedings would be initiated.
Justice Neelum also noted contradictions between the DIG’s statements and the written record, stressing that only the investigating officer should have had access to sensitive photographs. She questioned whether the police had overlooked crucial evidence or deliberately ignored leads.
The court further expressed frustration over delays despite Punjab IG Dr. Usman Anwar seeking additional time in previous hearings. Justice Neelum warned that the court would no longer tolerate lapses in such a sensitive case.
She ordered the submission of DSP Haider’s diary, along with all documents from the past six months, and demanded a clear timeline of when Fauzia’s photographs surfaced both in the investigation and on social media. The Chief Justice also raised concerns about how a constable gained access to confidential records and when a fake TikTok account linked to the case was created.
DIG Raza informed the court that the case had been with the CCD until September, and that security agencies had been asked to verify Fauzia’s digital accounts. The investigation continues, with the court demanding transparency and accountability moving forward.