SHC calls record of terrorists' treatment, facilitation case against Dr Asim
Bench directs police, others concerned to submit documents by November 24
Dr Asim. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought on Friday documents related to case of alleged terrorists facilitation and treatment against Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi President Dr Asim Hussain at his chain of private hospitals.
Headed by SHC Chief Justice (CJ) Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, a two-judge bench sought such documents by November 24. The bench was hearing a petition filed in December, 2015 by Dr Ejaz Fatima, Dr Asim's mother, apprehending that the Rangers might influence the then ongoing inquiries initiated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and police against her son in cases of corruption and harbouring terrorists respectively.
In the plea, she had sought the court's directive to all concerned to ensure an impartial probe into the cases against the former petroleum adviser.
At the outset, Advocate Anwar Mansoor Khan argued that the Rangers had taken his client's son, Dr Asim, into preventive custody for 90 days, but he was kept in custody for three more days. He argued that during detention, the former petroleum adviser was not allowed to meet his family members or lawyer. The lawyer alleged that Dr Asim was subjected to torture in the paramilitary force's custody and forced to extract a false statement out of him.
The SHC CJ inquired whether the alleged confessional statement of Dr Asim was recorded by the Rangers or the joint investigation team.
Advocate Khan said the alleged confessional statements were recorded by other law enforcement agencies' personnel and they were also made public.
Travel ban: SHC seeks Centre's reply on Dr Asim's plea
To the bench's query, the lawyer said the Rangers had ridiculed Dr Asim by publicising his alleged confessional statements.
Justice Karim Khan Agha, another bench member, noted that under the law, the paramilitary force was delegated the powers to arrest anyone.
Advocate Khan argued that the same law also provided for the protection of accused persons' right to a fair trial as guaranteed under Article 10 of the Constitution. He argued that the paramilitary force was delegated powers to arrest the accused persons involved in heinous crimes, such as target killing, extortion and terrorism, but such arrests could only be made on the basis of credible information and evidence.
SHC rejects Dr Asim’s plea seeking removal of his name from ECL
The lawyer maintained that his client's son was not involved in any heinous crime, adding that the allegations of terror funding against him were also false. He argued the criminal case that was lodged by the Rangers against Dr Asim in fact related to the medical treatment of the alleged terrorists at his private hospitals, but not funding of the terrorists.
Therefore, the bench directed the police and others concerned to submit by November 24 a complete record of the case relating to the alleged terror financing and terrorists treatment against Dr Asim.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought on Friday documents related to case of alleged terrorists facilitation and treatment against Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi President Dr Asim Hussain at his chain of private hospitals.
Headed by SHC Chief Justice (CJ) Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, a two-judge bench sought such documents by November 24. The bench was hearing a petition filed in December, 2015 by Dr Ejaz Fatima, Dr Asim's mother, apprehending that the Rangers might influence the then ongoing inquiries initiated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and police against her son in cases of corruption and harbouring terrorists respectively.
In the plea, she had sought the court's directive to all concerned to ensure an impartial probe into the cases against the former petroleum adviser.
At the outset, Advocate Anwar Mansoor Khan argued that the Rangers had taken his client's son, Dr Asim, into preventive custody for 90 days, but he was kept in custody for three more days. He argued that during detention, the former petroleum adviser was not allowed to meet his family members or lawyer. The lawyer alleged that Dr Asim was subjected to torture in the paramilitary force's custody and forced to extract a false statement out of him.
The SHC CJ inquired whether the alleged confessional statement of Dr Asim was recorded by the Rangers or the joint investigation team.
Advocate Khan said the alleged confessional statements were recorded by other law enforcement agencies' personnel and they were also made public.
Travel ban: SHC seeks Centre's reply on Dr Asim's plea
To the bench's query, the lawyer said the Rangers had ridiculed Dr Asim by publicising his alleged confessional statements.
Justice Karim Khan Agha, another bench member, noted that under the law, the paramilitary force was delegated the powers to arrest anyone.
Advocate Khan argued that the same law also provided for the protection of accused persons' right to a fair trial as guaranteed under Article 10 of the Constitution. He argued that the paramilitary force was delegated powers to arrest the accused persons involved in heinous crimes, such as target killing, extortion and terrorism, but such arrests could only be made on the basis of credible information and evidence.
SHC rejects Dr Asim’s plea seeking removal of his name from ECL
The lawyer maintained that his client's son was not involved in any heinous crime, adding that the allegations of terror funding against him were also false. He argued the criminal case that was lodged by the Rangers against Dr Asim in fact related to the medical treatment of the alleged terrorists at his private hospitals, but not funding of the terrorists.
Therefore, the bench directed the police and others concerned to submit by November 24 a complete record of the case relating to the alleged terror financing and terrorists treatment against Dr Asim.