ISLAMABAD, MAR 21 (DNA) -The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed to arrest suspended SSP Malir Rao Anwar soon after he finally appeared before the court. He had been absconding in the case of Naqeebullah Mehsud s extrajudicial killing for two months.

The accused, wearing a mask, arrived at the court on a white car amid tight security. He was then taken to Courtroom number 1, where the hearing of the case was held.

“You are much brave? Where were you hiding? You used to arrest people but yourself remained in hiding” asked the CJP.

“I surrender before the court. I had life threats,” replied Rao Anwar. “You are providing no favour to the court while surrendering before it. The law has no sympathies with an absconder,” remarked the judge.

The Supreme Court rejected Rao Anwar’s protective bail plea and directed to defreeze his accounts. It also took back the contempt of court notice against him.

The court directed to form a new Joint Investigation Team in the case whose member’s will be decided after consultation. “Do not think that we will be conferring someone. The courts are independent. The JIT members will be finalized after discussion among the judges,” saied the CJP.

The court refused the request of Rao Anwar’s lawyer to include representatives of intelligence agencies.

During the hearing, Inspector General of Police Sindh A.D. Khowaja and NADRA authorities were also present in the court.

Mehsud, a 27-year-old hailing from South Waziristan, was gunned down on January 13 in Shah Latif Town by alleged ‘encounter’ with a police team headed by Rao Anwar, however; preliminary probe suggest that Mehsud was killed in cold blood and had no terror links.

His killing sparked a social media outcry, as his family members rejected claims by authorities that he was a member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban, saying he was an innocent aspiring male model.