Axact investigation: SC rejects Bol’s request to access data

Access to Bol building subject to completion of probe; notices issued to Sindh AG

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea by the administration of Axact and Bol TV seeking access to their offices and database. The court observed that access cannot be provided till investigations are complete.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmad and comprising Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Sardar Tariq Massod heard the plea.



Axact and Bol TV’s counsel Abid Zuberi argued during the hearing that the channel’s administration should be granted access to their databases, computer servers, and other equipment. But Justice Khan stated that access to suspicious data and computers cannot be granted till investigations are over.

He further observed that a new scandal relating to Bol TV has emerged where a fake company was established under the name of an Englishman.

Zuberi also made a case for releasing his client, arguing that under law a person cannot be detained for more than 90 days. He also pleaded that their assets should be unfrozen.



On this Justice Khan remarked that a sessions court can be contacted on the matter and if the Federal Investigation Agency allows, assets can be partially used but cannot be sold or purchased.

Zuberi’s request for access to the Bol TV building was also declined.

(TRANSLATED BY ARSHAD SHAHEEN)

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th,  2016.