NAB barred from arresting Sharjeel Memon until March 27

Extends interim bails of Memon, 11 others nominated in an assets beyond means reference

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) restricted on Friday the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, in connection with any of the anti-graft watchdog's inquiries opened against him, until March 27.

A two-member bench, comprising SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and Justice Omar Sial, issued the directive while hearing a plea raising objections over secret NAB inquiries opened against Memon.

Memon's counsel, Advocate Ali Wahid, informed the court that NAB had been conducting secret inquiries against Memon, while he and his client were kept in the dark about what the inquiries pertained to. He moved the court to direct NAB officials to disclose the details of the inquiries and restrict the anti-graft watchdog from arresting Memon.

At this, the NAB prosecutor maintained that the details of secret inquiries against Memon were being sought and requested for an extension to submit them to the court.

The court granted an extension till March 27, ordering NAB to not to arrest Memon in connection with any of the inquiries opened against him until the submission of details about the secret inquiries.

 

Assets beyond means

Earlier, on Thursday, the same bench extended the interim bails of Memon and others nominated in an assets beyond means case till February 18, during the hearing of their bail pleas.

The investigation officer (IO) informed the court that a reference against the accused had been filed. When the bench asked for the reference, the IO submitted a copy in court.

The counsel for one of the accused, Advocate Abdur Rehman, however, said that NAB laws had been amended and more time was needed to prepare arguments against the reference in accordance with the amended laws. He requested the court for an extension to prepare arguments.

The court granted the accused's counsel an extension till February 18 - when the next hearing is scheduled - to prepare arguments and extended the interim bails of the accused until then.

According to NAB, Memon and 11 others have been nominated in a reference on charges of being involved in the corruption of Rs2.28 billion and accumulating assets beyond means.