In custody: PHC denies bail for suspected militant

Alleged smuggler’s bail also turned down.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday refused the bail request of a suspected militant after a local court charged him under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Rumaan, a resident of Yakatot, was arrested by the Agha Mirjani police on January 21, 2012 for allegedly carrying 600 dynamites and 900 detonators in a Suzuki van. He was charged by a local court under section 4/5 of the Explosives Act and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

During the hearing on Monday, Rumaan’s counsel Abdul Latif Afridi contested the claims saying his client had nothing to do with the ammunition recovered from the vehicle.

But the counsel for the state, FM Sabir contended the ammunition was seized from the vehicle which Rumaan was driving. Consequently, Justice Mian Fasihuddin rejected Rumaan’s bail plea.

In another case, PHC Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan turned down the bail request of an Afghan national, Noor Muhammad. Muhammad was arrested on November 1, 2012 by Hayatabad police for allegedly carrying nine kilogrammes of hashish.

In addition to the charges for carrying drugs, Muhammad was also booked under section 14 of the Foreigners Act as his Proof of Registration card had expired.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2013.