The South Additional District and Sessions Judge allowed anti-corruption police to keep Karachi Development Authority (KDA) Director General Asif Memon on physical remand for one day only in the abuse of power case.
Memon came out all guns blazing against the anti-corruption establishment for arresting him in absence of any departmental inquiry, while refusing to get handcuffed. Asif Memon, while replying to the investigation officer, said, "how can you arrest a Grade-20 officer without permission. You don't know the law and have come to handcuff me."
Memon said he was framed because he did not order the transfer of Najam Shah. "You should have tken permission from the chief minister before arresting me. If I have done anything wrong, the chief secretary will take departmental action against me," he added.
The Anti-Corruption Police in an operation in District East on Wednesday night arrested KDA Director General Memon, Additional Director Recovery Sheikh Farid and Assistant Director Atif Ahmad Khan.
During the hearing, the investigation officer (IO) and prosecutor were reprimanded by the judge for coming to the court with a half-baked case.
When the IO requested for physical remand of the suspects, the court asked the IO to state what corruption the suspects had committed.
The defense counsel stated that CM Murad Ali Shah was angry with his client. "A media trial was held all day and night against my client," the defence cousel said.
The judge pointing out flaws in the remand paper told the prosecutor it seems that you are a new appointment and do not know how to give details of the arrested suspects.
The court summoned the deputy director anti-corruption and adjourned the hearing for some time. The deputy director said that the suspects being at the helm of affairs, plotted their schemes meticulously.
"We also sent a notice to the accused Asif Memon and summoned him to answer questions but he did not come," the deputy director said.
The court remarked that apparently no strong evidence was produced which is why only one day remand has been granted due to transfer of one plot.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2021.
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