Supreme Court: ‘We Are Not Monarchs, Decisions Must Be Based on Law,’ Justice Mansoor Ali Shah

Islamabad: The Supreme Court, during a hearing on the appeal of a dismissed Station House Officer (SHO), emphasized that judicial decisions must strictly follow the law and not arbitrary will.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case of former SHO Yasir Muhammad of Rawalpindi’s Dhudial police station, who was dismissed for illegally detaining four citizens, including two women.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked: *“We are not monarchs to do whatever we please. We have to decide according to the law.”* He noted that the evidence on record was against the appellant.

Justice Aqeel Abbasi also observed that an SHO holds significant authority in a police station, but detaining ordinary citizens without reason was an abuse of power.

During the hearing, lawyer Umair Baloch argued that his client was dismissed unfairly for the mistakes of other police officials, claiming there was no direct complaint or testimony against him. He urged the court to consider the appellant’s young age and future.

The Supreme Court, however, issued notices to the parties and adjourned further proceedings indefinitely.