KARACHI, Nov 2: Two tribal chiefs of Dadu and the DIG of Hyderabad, SSP of Dadu and other police officials were directed on Wednesday by the Sindh High Court to appear in court in a petition seeking whereabouts of an abducted woman.

Justice Maqbool Baqar, who was seized with the petition of Ali Raza Panhwar for his sister’s recovery, also warned of initiating contempt proceedings against Sardar Khan Chandio, the chief of the Chandio tribe, and Wadera Sheral Panhwar of the Panhwar tribe, and the police officers if they failed to appear in court on Nov 15, the next date of hearing.

The petitioner, who had married a Chandio woman against the wishes of her family in 2007, submitted in the petition that over 15 armed men of the rival tribe raided his house on April 9, 2011 and took away his widowed sister, Farzana, after killing two of his tribesmen and wounding three others.

Impleading the home secretary, the Dadu district police officer, the SHO of the Khudabad police station and others as respondents, the petitioner submitted that one of his relatives later lodged an FIR against the attackers, naming several suspects, but none of them was arrested, nor was her sister recovered.

He stated in his petition that the chief of the Chandio tribe stated that his sister would be handed back only after he handed over his wife, who had married him out of her free will before a magistrate.

The petitioner also recalled that his wife’s estranged family, who had declared the couple liable to be killed in the name of honour (karo-kari), had also lodged an FIR against him. However, he approached the SHC that ordered quashment of the case.

On Wednesday, the court took a serious notice when the petitioner, who had earlier on Oct 28 filed a statement for the withdrawal of his petition, stated in an affidavit that he had filed the withdrawal application under duress and coercion.

The petitioner stated that the SHO of the Johi police station informed him on behalf of Sardar Khan Chandio that his sister had been handed over to Wadera Sheral Panhwar of Village Maloja Panhwar and his family members might visit her at the Wadera’s residence.

He stated that another sister and other family members visited her abducted sister at Maloja Panhwar and he also spoke to her over the telephone thrice.

The petitioner further stated that he had moved for withdrawal of his petition when the Johi SHO told him that his sister would be handed over to him only after the withdrawal of the instant petition.

Justice Maqbool Baqar observed that the court had passed directives time and again for the recovery of the abducted woman, who could not have been recovered despite the lapse of six months.

The court said in the order: “This is a very serious matter and shows the malafide conduct rather involvement of the area police in the sordid episode. I would, therefore, issue notice to the DIG, Hyderabad to appear before this court with the entire case record along with the concerned SSP, DSPs and SHOs”.

The judge also directed the Hyderabad DIG to ensure “full and effective protection to the life, liberty and honour of the abducted woman, the petitioner and his family”.

The court also directed its office to send the copy of its order to police officials concerned instantly and also transmit a copy to the DIG through fax. A copy of the order was also given to the additional prosecutor general to ensure compliance of the court’s directions.

Moreover, the court also directed the Hyderabad DIG to “ensure presence of Sardar Khan Chandio as well as Wadera Sheral Panshwar before this court”.

The judge further said in the order: “It may be noted that non-compliance of the above order and/or non-appearance of any of the officers/persons named above before this court on Nov 15, 2011 shall expose such person to the contempt of court proceedings”.