LHC directs Punjab police to review character certificate formats

— Lahore High Court issued strict notice to police not to change the records of police character certificates despite court decisions and ordered IGP Punjab Police to update the format of certificate immediately.

The court has said distinct character certificate forms should be developed for convicted and acquitted persons to guarantee that innocent people are not unjustly stamped with a criminal record.

The court heard a petition for contempt of court filed by the petitioner Mubashir. Inspector General Punjab Police and DIG IT Mansoor-ul-Haq appeared before the court.

During the course of proceedings, counsel for the petitioner pointed out that despite his client being acquitted in a criminal matter, his name was not expunged from the police criminal record, even though the court had ordered the correction of the record.

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The petition requested contempt proceedings against DIG Mansoor-ul-Haq and other concerned officers for not complying with the legal instructions.

The court, in its opinion during the hearing, stated that the present structure of police character certificate is not desirable as for guilty persons and those acquitted or not convicted, separate certificates are to be provided so that acquitted persons are not shown as criminals.

The Inspector General told the court that the police character certificate system is totally automated. The court ordered the authorities to produce a separate pro forma for criminal offenders and circulate it to DPOs across the province for the prompt rectification of records as per the directives of the court.

The court asked the Inspector General to make required adjustments in the formats of police character certificates and suspended the further hearing of the matter till July 6.