Elahi gets relief in graft, terrorism cases

LHC bench grants bails till May 4 and 15

LAHORE:

 

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday stopped the police from arresting former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in the cases registered against him till today and granted protective bails in two cases pertaining to terrorism and corruption till May 4 and 15.
Justice Asjad Javed Ghural heard the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Central President Elahi.
Elahi appeared in court for protective bail in the anti-corruption case registered against him in Gujranwala.
Elahi's lawyer took a stand in the anti-corruption case that the protective bail was approved by the LHC but cases were being filed on a daily basis.
The petitioner's lawyer requested the court to grant a protective bail and issue orders to stop the Anti Corruption Establishment team from making arrests.
The court remarked that if any new case was registered, a separate application should be filed again for the petitioner’s protective bail.

Elahi's request rejected

Earlier, in another petition, the LHC had rejected the request for immediately stopping the police raids from arresting the former Punjab CM.
The court heard the plea of Elahi’s son Rasikh against the police and anti-corruption operation at his residence.
The petitioner's lawyer said that raids were being conducted by the police and anti-corruption team daily. “Every day a new FIR is registered and raids are conducted.”
The petitioner requested the court to prevent the police from arresting Elahi and registering new cases.
Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar remarked that according to which law the court could stop the arrest. “Until the report comes, how can we accept your words? Let the police do their best and we will see when the matter comes to court.”
The court directed the IG and DG anti-corruption to work within the law and sought a detailed report from them on the next hearing.

Bail granted till May 4

The court granted a protective bail to Elahi till May 4 in the terrorism case filed against him, directing him to approach the relevant court.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, heard Elahi’s petition.
Elahi's lawyer requested the court to approve the protective bail for one week.
Justice Najafi said that the relevant court had the case.
The lawyer said that despite the fact that the high court granted the protective bail in the anti-corruption case on April 27, a raid was carried out at his client’s residence.
Justice Najafi said, "Did you show the written order of the protective bail to the arresting team?"
The lawyer replied that the written order was not received by them but the arresting team spoke with the prosecutor general. Later, the court granted protective bail in the case till May 4.
The Ghalib Market police station registered a case against Elahi under terrorism and other provisions.
Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid, while hearing the petition filed by Elahi against the possible arrest, sought the details of the cases from the police and anti-corruption within seven days.
The court restrained the police from arresting Elahi in the FIRs registered till today.
Speaking to the media at the LHC, Elahi said, “(Caretaker Punjab CM) Mohsin Naqvi is the culprit behind everything that happened in our house. Mohsin Naqvi is the mastermind of all the bad deeds.”
He said, “Mohsin Naqvi’s days as the chief minister are numbered as elections will be held and the PTI will win.”