There is a dangerous reality many small shopkeepers in Punjab face every day—police harassment disguised as authority.
Police officials often enter shops and casually demand:
“Give us a bottle for free, give us Captain cigarettes.”
For many poor shopkeepers, refusal is not an option. Saying no can turn into a nightmare.
The Case of Naeem Javed: A Small Shopkeeper, A Big Injustice
Naeem Javed is a humble grocery shop owner whose shop falls under the jurisdiction of Hadyara Police Station. He is a simple man, a family man, and the father of a 13-year-old special needs child. By the grace of Allah, his family has faced many challenges with patience and dignity.
Some police officials from the same police station regularly visited his shop and demanded free bottles and cigarettes. Naeem Javed politely refused. He made it clear that he could not provide free items.
That refusal proved costly.
Retaliation Through False Cases
Just two days later, police raided Naeem Javed’s house while he was not present. Family members were harassed, and the police left with a threat:
“Whenever Naeem Javed is found, we will register a narcotics case against him.”
Understanding the danger, Naeem Javed submitted written applications to:
-
The CCPO
-
The IG Punjab
An official inquiry was initiated, which clearly established:
-
Naeem Javed has no criminal record
-
He has never been involved in drugs
-
The police officials acted with malice and abuse of authority
The inquiry was still pending against one police official named Faisal, who was recommended for punishment.
Illegal Arrest and Threat of Encounter
Despite the inquiry, police carried out another raid. This time, Naeem Javed was illegally arrested outside a school while picking up his children.
Eyewitnesses saw him being taken away on a motorcycle at 1:30 PM by unidentified police officials.
At the police station, he was threatened:
“You filed complaints against us. We can register cases against you, or even get you killed in an encounter.”
His family frantically called 15 (emergency helpline), but no proper response was given. That night, Naeem Javed narrowly escaped an alleged fake encounter and managed to save his life.
Abuse of Preventive Laws
The next morning, police raided his house again and arrested him under Sections 107/151 Cr.P.C., placing him in preventive detention.
However, when the Magistrate was informed of the full background—including the pending inquiry, the Magistrate discharged Naeem Javed, finding the police action unjustified.
False Narcotics Case Fabricated
Meanwhile, Naeem Javed learned that police had registered a false narcotics case against him, alleging possession of 1960 grams of charas, along with an additional charge of absconding.
This is a quantity where courts often refuse bail for up to 11 years.
Shockingly, the same police officials who were under inquiry were made prosecution witnesses in this fabricated case.
Justice by the High Court
Within just two and a half months, Justice Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, a highly respected Judge of the Lahore High Court, examined the entire record.
The Court observed that:
-
Naeem Javed is a shopkeeper with no criminal history
-
The raids were illegal
-
The inquiry findings were ignored
-
The case was clearly malafide and retaliatory
Justice Tanveer Sheikh ordered bail, freeing Naeem Javed.
This decision became a rare success story.
As a result:
-
The SHO and police staff involved were arrested
-
Departmental and legal action was initiated against them
A Broader Appeal to Authorities
I respectfully appeal to the Punjab Government and the IG Punjab:
Naeem Javed is just one example. Allah helped him—but thousands of innocent people are still behind bars.
Their only crime?
-
Refusing to give free cigarettes
-
Refusing to pay bribes
-
Refusing to bow to illegal demands
People who have never even smoked a cigarette are falsely booked in narcotics cases.
This case should be taken as a benchmark for reform.
Conduct proper investigations.
Hold abusive officers accountable.
Restore public trust.
Justice should not depend on courage alone.
May Allah grant justice to all the oppressed. Ameen.