The Sindh High Court acquitted on Monday alleged Muttahida Qaumi Movement target killer Ubaid K2 and Nadir Shah in the case pertaining to the murders of two policemen.
A two-member bench comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Irshad Ali Shah ruled on the convicts' appeal against the anti-terrorism court's verdict.
Acquitting both convicts, the bench noted that the prosecution could not present any concrete evidence to uphold the sentence against Ubaid K2 and Shah. If their custody is not required in any other case, the court directed both the inmates be released from jail.
An ATC had found MQM workers Ubaid K2 and Shah guilty of killing two policemen, Rehan and Nisar, in front of an Imambargah on MA Jinnah Road in 2000. The ATC sentenced both to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs0.2 million each.
Other cases against Ubaid K2 and Shah are pending before the ATC.
Rangers' assistance
Another two-member bench, headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, directed the police to enlist Sindh Rangers' assistance in curbing gutka and mawa sale.
The bench was hearing a plea seeking action against increase in sale of gutka and mawa and against culpable officials.
The petitioner's counsel argued that Landhi SHO released the actual suspect involved in selling gutka and instead showed the arrest of another person.
The court directed action against the policemen and officers involved in the sale of gutka and sought a list of delinquent officers.
Justice Panhwar remarked that it seemed that the senior police officers were also involved in the sale of gutka.
"Details of properties of such policemen and officers should also be provided. It is not possible to sell gutka without the patronage of the police," the bench observed, adding that the police seek the Rangers' assistance to curb gutka sale.
NAB DG summoned
Meanwhile, a two-member bench led by Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, summoned National Accountability Bureau director-general in person along with the records of a housing societies scam.
The bench sought an explanation from the NAB DG for his failure to appear before the court despite repeated summons in different cases. Directing him to appear at the next hearing of the housing societies scam slated for November 14, the court adjourned the hearing.
Audit sought
Hearing pleas filed by the Check and Watch Environmental Foundation in cases pertaining to encroachments, the same bench once again sought a three-year audit report from the non-governmental organisation (NGO).
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The bench inquired from the representative of the NGO about the foundation's welfare work.
"Bring the audit report of all charitable works done in three years," directed Justice Khan, reminding the representative of the court's earlier directives.
The NGO sought an extension for the submission of the report, at which the bench remarked that it would hear the cases only after the audit report is submitted.
The hearing adjourned without any further proceedings. The NGO has filed multiple petitions pertaining to alleged illegal constructions.
Former graft IO's plea
Separately, a two-member bench led by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro sought the NAB prosecutor's reply on the plea of the former investigating officer of the graft case against Dr Asim Hussain.
Petitioner Zameer Abbasi's counsel stated that his client was employed by the Sindh government from 2015 to 2017 and served as the local government board's secretary.
"NAB is investigating bribery allegations against former employees. It is feared that Abbasi will be arrested in the said inquiry," said the defence counsel.
When the court inquired about the allegation against Abbasi, the prosecutor sought time from the bench to file the anti-graft watchdog's reply.
If Abbasi is implicated in the NAB's inquiry, his case would be forwarded to the relevant trial court, remarked the bench.
The court summoned NAB's special prosecutor at the next hearing slated for October 26.
The court had earlier restrained NAB from proceeding against the former IO without the court's approval. The bench extended the stay and adjourned the hearing.
Abbasi was the initial IO of the on-going Rs462b NAB reference against Dr Asim and other accused.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2021.
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