Non-compliance of order in Elahi's case irks judge

Judge Raza fixes July 14 to initiate proceedings on show cause notices; seeks compliance report by next date

LAHORE:

An anti-corruption court judge on Wednesday came down hard on jail authorities in response to non-compliance of the “robkar” issued to release the former Punjab chief minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi after his post-arrest bail was accepted in a case related to out-of-merit appointments in the Punjab Assembly.

It is worth mentioning that in earlier proceedings the judge had accepted Elahi’s bail, issuing a “robkar” to release him from jail. However, rather than complying with the order, the jail authorities approached the court seeking further clarity on the order.

In the first round of the proceedings, Judge Ali Raza issued show cause notices to the superintendent and deputy superintendent camp jail and also summoned them for an explanation of why the court’s order was not complied with.

In the second round of proceedings, as the superintendent jail appeared before the court, the judge asked why the court’s order was not complied with even after issuing the “robkar”.

“Police have become superior to the courts,” the judge remarked.

Read ACE denied Elahi’s physical remand

As the jail official parried the court’s queries, the judge expressing his displeasure remarked that “If you are not in a position to understand the court’s order then leave the job”.

Judge Raza then fixed July 14 to initiate proceedings upon show cause notices. Meanwhile, the judge also sought a compliance report by the next date.

Last month, an anti-corruption court judge granted post-arrest bail to Elahi in an alleged case of corruption concerning out-of-merit appointments in the Punjab Assembly.

The judge announced the reserved decision. A day earlier, the judge after hearing detailed arguments from both sides, reserved a decision on the bail plea.

However, the judge ordered to release Elahi if he was not required in any other case. Meanwhile, the judge also ordered Elahi to submit surety bonds of Rs1 million.