A police inspector and other officials facing trial in the Model Town incident had assailed the new JIT pleading that fresh investigation could not be held after the indictment of suspects in a case. The petitioners had contended that the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Anti Terrorism Act 1997 did not allow formation of second JIT in the same case. They pointed out that the trial in the Model Town case was at final stage and a judicial inquiry and a JIT had already investigated the incident, they added.
The petitioners said the Supreme Court in its decision had not directed for constitution of the new JIT and asked the court to declare the establishing of new JIT as illegal and without lawful authority. The Punjab home department on January 3 had formed the JIT for fresh probe into the Model Town incident. At least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured when police opened fire to disperse protesting activists of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) during an anti-encroachment operation.