2010 Hajj scam: Kazmi acquittal plea rejected as 'premature'

Court says indictment of accused in next hearing on May 30.

RAWALPINDI: The trial court hearing the Hajj corruption case of 2010 rejected the acquittal plea of former federal minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi saying it was premature, and adding that the accused would be indicted on May 30, Express News reported on Friday.

Special Judge Central Mian Khalid Shabbir rejected the acquittal plea, saying that the trial was not complete, therefore, the accused could not be acquitted.

During the hearing, special public prosecutor Federal investigation Agency (FIA) Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali argued before the court that it was a suo motu case which was still pending before the Supreme Court.

“Hearing the bail application of accused, former additional secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs Raja Aftabul Islam some 20 days ago, the Supreme Court directed the trial court to complete the trial in the Hajj corruption case within three months,” he said.

The prosecutor added that since evidence was yet to be examined, witnesses were still pending and the trial was far from complete, the accused could not be acquitted as yet.

Kazmi was imprisoned due to his negligence and involvement in the Hajj scam when Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took suo motu notice after receiving a letter from Saudi Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday had also received applications from different pilgrims, accusing three MNAs and two Senators of embezzlement in Hajj arrangements in 2010.