Haleem granted bail in land grabbing case

The anti-encroachment court granted bail in the government land grabbing case and ordered the release of opposition leader Haleem Adil Sheikh against a bond of Rs0.1 million.

The court pronounced the verdict on opposition leader Haleem Adil Sheikh’s bail plea in the case and ordered the release of Haleem Adil Sheikh. The court remarked that charges (fard-jurm) will be filed at the next hearing on September 8.

Before this, Haleem’s lawyer had argued and said that FIR is not registered in NAB reference. Anti-encroachment cases are dealt with under the provisions of the Criminal Code (zabta-e-faujdari). There are several judgments of the Supreme Court where the concerned court has granted bail.

The government lawyer opposed the bail application and said in arguments that anti-encroachment court cannot hear bail plea. Hearing of bail plea is beyond the jurisdiction of this court.

He said the bail application in NAB and Narcotics Court cases is also filed in Sindh High Court. The court should also cancel the bail of the co-accused.

The court reserved its decision after hearing the arguments of the parties and adjourned for September 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2022.