ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: FIR registered over the Supreme Court attack was sealed after police and lawyers agreed to hold an inquiry before arresting the accused, police sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

“It was decided that an inquiry would be conducted to identify the people responsible for the incident,” a senior police officer told Dawn on condition of anonymity.

During the negotiation, the lawyers asked for a “free way” and requested the police to avoid registering the case.

However, the police maintained that they could not leave the incident unnoticed and it was necessary since the attack was on the apex court, the officer said.

“Although the role of the lawyers and police is already established, the former is alleging that the police provoked them,” he said.

The officer added that lawyers wanted to get a case registered against the police for resorting to baton charge.

Later, police and lawyers reached an agreement to hold the inquiry, and initially a case was registered at Secretariat police station against the lawyers.

They were charged under Pakistan Penal Code’s (PPC) relevant sections for attempted murder, force to deter public servants from discharge of duty, damage and destruction of landmarks, rioting, unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation.

However, shortly after, the police sealed the FIR on the direction of senior officers, the source said.

The inquiry will be held by Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr Sultan Azam Tumeri to fix responsibility and submit a report by December 15 to the Inspector General of Police.

In light of the inquiry’s recommendation, challans against the accused will be prepared and submitted in court for trial, the officer added.

According to the source, the case was registered as police feared the Supreme Court would take action against them if the case went unregistered.

He added that there was a chance the inquiry would declare the incident a misunderstanding and a few low-ranking policemen would be made scapegoats.— Staff Reporter