SHC seeks response from ACE in exam scam case

Officers accused of altering XII results challenge Anti-Corruption Establishment jurisdiction

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought response from the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) authorities on a petition regarding the case against former chairman of the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) Saeed Uddin and other.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto heard the plea of Saeed Uddin and others to declare the case regarding the alteration and irregularities in the intermediate results null and void.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that ACE does not have the authority to take action against the University and Board Department employees.

The court inquired from the petitioner's counsel whether the accused have obtained bail.

The lawyer replied, saying yes, the accused have obtained bail.

They are ready to cooperate in the investigation and request not to be arrested.

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The investigating officer requested time to submit the reply as the investigation of the case is going on.

Separately, same bench headed heard the petition pertaining to the recovery of 10 missing persons, including a child.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that the one-year-old child is missing from Brigade area. So far no action has been taken to recover him.

The court asked the investigating officer (IO) what steps have been taken to recover the missing citizens including the child. The IO submitted the reports received from six agencies.

IO said that 29 JITs and 17 provincial task force meetings have been held. IO said that letters have been written to relevant institutions across the country to search for the citizens. Investigation revealed that the missing person belonged to an organisation.

The court expressed its indignation and ordered the DIG to submit the report of missing persons. The court adjourned the hearing till April 9.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2024.