LAHORE, Jan 30: Three police constables were suspended from service after they allegedly misbehaved with a senior police officer and his family during checking at an unauthorised picket near Qadhafi Stadium in Gulberg late Tuesday.

An inquiry has been initiated into the matter while the three constables were taken into custody.

Model Town SP (Operations) Awais Malik told Dawn that SSP Suleman Sultan Rana along with his friends and their families were going somewhere by two vehicles, including his official car, when three Mujahid Squad constables stopped them near Qadhafi Stadium around 10:30pm and asked for checking.

SSP Rana, who was in plainclothes, stepped out of the vehicle and allowed the constables to check it.

The SSP, during checking, introduced himself to the constables and sought reasons for the checking, besides questioning their conduct. This angered the policemen who started misbehaving with their officer.

Later, the constables fled the scene when Mr Rana phoned Mujahid Squad SP Captain (retired) Rommel Akram and asked him to visit the spot.

Sources said it was initially established that three constables-Farooq Bajwa, Shafique and Karam Nawaz - left the Gulberg police station on an official vehicle without the SHO’s permission. Usually an ASI led the patrolling vehicle, they added.

The officials started checking motorists at a place which didn’t fall under the Gulberg police jurisdiction.

When the SSP questioned them about violation of Mujahid Force SOP that required them to respond only to the calls made to police emergency number, they misbehaved with the officer.

According to a police officer, it was a common complaint that Mujahid Squad officials mint money by harassing innocent motorists by going beyond their assigned duty instead of timely responding to Rescue 15 calls. The force is also responsible for fighting street crimes in busy markets.

He said the operational control of Mujahid Squad has been given to local police.--MUHAMMAD FAISAL ALI