By-poll violence: Ghulam and Haroon Bilour granted interim bail
Claim they have been framed over political motives.
MNA-elect Ghulam Ahmad Bilour was accused of vandalizing women polling stations. Following this, a scuffle broke out between ANP and opposition party workers. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday granted interim bail before arrest to newly-elected member of National Assembly Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and nephew Haroon Bilour, who have been accused of vandalism in women polling stations during the by-polls in NA-1.
Justice Shah Jehan Akhunzada granted bail before arrest to both Awami National Party (ANP) leaders in return for Rs100,000 and two surety bonds. Both men have been asked to appear before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) to secure further extension of the bail.
Representing the accused, advocates Abdul Latif Afridi and Ishtiaq Ibrahim informed the court the accused were charged on the day of re-polling (August 22) in Sheikhabad. The two ANP leaders have been accused of creating commotion and entering into a scuffle with opponent party workers, they added.
One of the counsels maintained bail can be granted in all sections under which they have been charged, with the exception of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. He, however, argued they were charged under Section 7 on political grounds. “Ghulam Bilour is an aged person who is 75 years old. He was present at home when the incident occurred, which means the allegations are leveled to defame him,” he said.
The counsels said Sheikhabad is a hub of ANP and Haroon Bilour successfully controlled agitated party workers, claiming he was still charged with arson and vandalism.
Outside the courtroom, Ghulam Bilour told journalists they have been framed for political motives and none of their workers fired a single shot on August 22. “PTI workers were witnessing their defeat so they started a scuffle with ANP workers and then charged them wrongly,” he said.
“We are going to talk to relevant officials to transfer the case from ATC to PHC due to certain reasons. The date for appearing before the court has not been fixed, but we hope the case will be transferable,” Advocate Ibrahim told reporters.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday granted interim bail before arrest to newly-elected member of National Assembly Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and nephew Haroon Bilour, who have been accused of vandalism in women polling stations during the by-polls in NA-1.
Justice Shah Jehan Akhunzada granted bail before arrest to both Awami National Party (ANP) leaders in return for Rs100,000 and two surety bonds. Both men have been asked to appear before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) to secure further extension of the bail.
Representing the accused, advocates Abdul Latif Afridi and Ishtiaq Ibrahim informed the court the accused were charged on the day of re-polling (August 22) in Sheikhabad. The two ANP leaders have been accused of creating commotion and entering into a scuffle with opponent party workers, they added.
One of the counsels maintained bail can be granted in all sections under which they have been charged, with the exception of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. He, however, argued they were charged under Section 7 on political grounds. “Ghulam Bilour is an aged person who is 75 years old. He was present at home when the incident occurred, which means the allegations are leveled to defame him,” he said.
The counsels said Sheikhabad is a hub of ANP and Haroon Bilour successfully controlled agitated party workers, claiming he was still charged with arson and vandalism.
Outside the courtroom, Ghulam Bilour told journalists they have been framed for political motives and none of their workers fired a single shot on August 22. “PTI workers were witnessing their defeat so they started a scuffle with ANP workers and then charged them wrongly,” he said.
“We are going to talk to relevant officials to transfer the case from ATC to PHC due to certain reasons. The date for appearing before the court has not been fixed, but we hope the case will be transferable,” Advocate Ibrahim told reporters.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.