Hajj corruption case: Kazmi files petition in SC for bail
IHC had dismissed his plea on July 4
IHC had dismissed his plea on July 4.
ISLAMABAD:
Former Religious Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi has approached the Supreme Court against the rejection of his bail plea by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in Hajj corruption case.
On June 3, Judge Malik Nazir Ahmad of the special court awarded six years’ imprisonment each on two counts to Kazmi along with former director general Hajj Rao Shakeel and former joint secretary of the ministry Aftabul Islam Raja. The judge also fined the convicts Rs147.4 million each.
The IHC on July 4 dismissed the former minister’s appeal against the trial court saying that no illegality could be observed at this stage on the surface of the impugned judgment.
The convict through his counsel Latif Khosa submitted that according to the jail record, he has completed his sentence of three years, eight months and 4 days out of a total sentence of six years.
The petition stated that the convict could be granted bail by suspending the operation of the sentence.
The counsel further submitted that there are bright chances that the former minister would be acquitted of the charges against him and he only seems to have become a victim of the propaganda against him.
The petition stated that 56 witnesses were produced by the prosecution but none of them had uttered a single word against him; there is also no record that shows Kazmi took commission or kickbacks.
It is further said Kazmi was in no manner accused of any malfeasance in the report of ex-PA of October 1, 2010, of hiring review committee.
The petition contended that the petitioner is not named in the FIR of November 12, 2010 and even in the challan of January 18, 2012, the FIA official had categorically stated that there was no incriminatory evidence against the former minister, adding that CMA submitted before the apex court on July 2, 2012, also gave a clean chit to Kazmi.
Therefore, Kazmi should be granted bail till the final determination of his guilty by the IHC.
Rao Shakeel’s plea
Meanwhile, the IHC Wednesday directed the registrar office of the court to verify the property of Rao Shakeel one of the convicts in the Hajj corruption case. Shakeel is seeking release from jail by submitting his property as surety against the fine imposed on him as he has already completed his sentence of six years imprisonment. He is in jail only because he has not yet paid the fine.
While disposing of the case, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani directed the registrar office to conduct verification of the property and accept it if it fulfils requirements.
Qazi Misbahul Hassan, counsel for Shakeel contended that his client has already completed his sentence and wanted to submit surety so that he could walk free.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2016.
Former Religious Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi has approached the Supreme Court against the rejection of his bail plea by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in Hajj corruption case.
On June 3, Judge Malik Nazir Ahmad of the special court awarded six years’ imprisonment each on two counts to Kazmi along with former director general Hajj Rao Shakeel and former joint secretary of the ministry Aftabul Islam Raja. The judge also fined the convicts Rs147.4 million each.
The IHC on July 4 dismissed the former minister’s appeal against the trial court saying that no illegality could be observed at this stage on the surface of the impugned judgment.
The convict through his counsel Latif Khosa submitted that according to the jail record, he has completed his sentence of three years, eight months and 4 days out of a total sentence of six years.
The petition stated that the convict could be granted bail by suspending the operation of the sentence.
The counsel further submitted that there are bright chances that the former minister would be acquitted of the charges against him and he only seems to have become a victim of the propaganda against him.
The petition stated that 56 witnesses were produced by the prosecution but none of them had uttered a single word against him; there is also no record that shows Kazmi took commission or kickbacks.
It is further said Kazmi was in no manner accused of any malfeasance in the report of ex-PA of October 1, 2010, of hiring review committee.
The petition contended that the petitioner is not named in the FIR of November 12, 2010 and even in the challan of January 18, 2012, the FIA official had categorically stated that there was no incriminatory evidence against the former minister, adding that CMA submitted before the apex court on July 2, 2012, also gave a clean chit to Kazmi.
Therefore, Kazmi should be granted bail till the final determination of his guilty by the IHC.
Rao Shakeel’s plea
Meanwhile, the IHC Wednesday directed the registrar office of the court to verify the property of Rao Shakeel one of the convicts in the Hajj corruption case. Shakeel is seeking release from jail by submitting his property as surety against the fine imposed on him as he has already completed his sentence of six years imprisonment. He is in jail only because he has not yet paid the fine.
While disposing of the case, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani directed the registrar office to conduct verification of the property and accept it if it fulfils requirements.
Qazi Misbahul Hassan, counsel for Shakeel contended that his client has already completed his sentence and wanted to submit surety so that he could walk free.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2016.