SHC seeks arguments on bail pleas in land allotment case

NAB ordered to file reference in illegal allotments of plots

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought on Tuesday arguments over the bail pleas filed by the accused in the case of illegal allotment of 296 plots in different areas of the city.

Prosecutor of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) informed the two-mamber bench comprising Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh and Justice Umar Sial that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) former town nazim Feroze Bangali, sector in-charge Shakir Langra and others were involved in China cutting. The accused sold 296 plots through China cutting.



The Chief Justice remarked that it seemed like there were no allottees and affected people in this case. Accused Shakir Langra’s counsel argued that his client was in jail for the last one and a half years. Chief Justice asked what did Shakir Langra do? Accused’s counsel said that he used to work in Karachi Development Authority (KDA). To another question, the defence council said that Shakir Langra must not be the peon at KDA? The counsel argued that accused Shakir Langra was working as deputy director in KDA. The cCourt sought arguments over the bail pleas filed by accused by March 6

Reference ordered

The same bench directed the NAB to file a reference in a case relating to illegal allotment of 43 plots in the name of Karachi Development Authority (KDA) Housing Society and submit a report by March 19.

The NAB officials told the bench, “The then administrator of the housing society, Intizar Jafri, and others illegally allotted 43 plots in the name of KDA Housing Society and caused a huge loss to the national exchequer.”



NAB officials told the court that the matter has been forwarded to NAB headquarters to file a reference against the suspects.”

Surety amount

While hearing another case, the bench ordered to return the surety amount deposited against former secretary municipality Sindh Ramzan Awan’s bail in NAB’s inquiry against him.

Investigation officer of NAB informed the court that Ramzan Awan was no more required in the inquiry. Court asked NAB prosecutor that what did he get to know from Ramzan in this inquiry.

The Investigation officer said that 40 million rupees cash and documents of property worth thirty million rupees was acquired from the accused this inquiry. Court inquired that if any evidence against Ramzan Awan has been found through all these money and property. The investigation officer told that no evidence against Ramzan Awan has been found although cash has been found from his personal secretary. Court remarked that Ramzan Awan is smarter than you and he has deceived you.

Investigation officer told that further inquiry is required against accused Ashfaq Mallah in this case therefore two weeks’ time should be given. Court remarked that there was no restriction on inquiry against anyone but no injustice should be done. The court accepted the request of investigation officer for two weeks’ time and ordered to return the surety amount submitted against the bail of Ramzan Awan.

According to NAB KDA plots worth millions of rupees had been commercialized. Evidences of kickbacks have also been found in the purchase of more than 200 cars of department of municipality. The accused are also involved in corruption on account of petrol in the department.

Sharjeel case

While hearing a plea of former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon for the exclusion of his name from Exit Control List (ECL), the same bench asked NAB to submit complete record relating to the case against Inam Memon March 5.

The Chief Justice asked was Sharjeel Menon in jail when his name was placed on ECL? Former minister’s counsel Advocate Faiz H Shah said that Sharjeel Memon was out of country then and he came back himself to surrender. Chief Justice remarked that the names of a co-accused with Sharjeel Memon was also included in the ECL.

Prosecutor NAB argued that Sharjeel Memon is in jail and facing the serious allegations of corruption. Chief Justice remarked that Sharjeel Memon was in jail now then what’s the need of removing his name from ECL. Sharjeel Memon is accused of corruption of 5 arab 76 thousand rupees in Information Department Sindh.

Sharjeel Memon’s counsel argued that including the name in ECL is a violation of basic human rights.

Sharjeel Memon in his plea had maintained that he wanted to go abroad for medical treatment therefore his name should be excluded from ECL.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2019.