Raid on dance party: Two cops suspended for releasing video of suspects in custody

The District Police Officer (DPO) has suspended the investigation officer and Muharar concerned for releasing a video of the suspects who were arrested at a farmhouse near Pakki Havali village during an alleged dance party, according to a press release issued by the police on Sunday.

On Friday night, following a "tip-off" about an alleged dance party near Pakki Havali village, the police raided the farmhouse, apprehending 55 people, including women, and placing them under arrest.

Later, on the complaint of Sub Inspector (SI) Muhammad Sadiq, a case was filed against the suspects under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order 1979, Section 6(a) of the Punjab Prohibition of Sheesha Smoking Act 2014, Section 6 of the Punjab Sound System Regulation Act 2015, and Sections 292 and 293 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Meanwhile, the local court ordered the release of all 55 individuals, including women, and discharged the case after the suspects were presented before a magistrate on Saturday for physical remand.

Following the cancellation of the case by the court, the police clarified in a press release that they neither made nor released any video of the suspects in an "official capacity." The press release further said, “The police always hold self-respect of citizens as their top priority as per the SOPs.”

The suspension of the cops comes days after social media users slammed cops for publishing a video of suspects involved in an alleged dance party.

One user took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “This is absolutely ridiculous to make video of these girls and boys. This needs to stop. Koi aqal karo (Come to your senses).”

Another user wrote, “Releasing videos of these individuals before their crime is proven is against the Constitution and the law,” while the third user questioned, “The boys and girls—whose videos went viral now carry a negative identity for the rest of their lives. Who is responsible for that? Bring them to light—make them answerable.”

The fourth user asked, “It is strange that when Punjab police arrest drug dealers and murderers, they cover their faces when posting online, but incidents like this are recorded and posted online showing faces; what is the need for that?”

“This is ridiculous. The only reason these boys and girls have been arrested is because they are from the lower middle class. Upper classes and elites have raves and parties all the time in their leafy neighbourhoods, but no one raids them. Let the people enjoy for god’s sake,” wrote another user.