Lost cause: ATC rejects bail for Sikander’s wife

Her counsel argued she was merely acting to protect her children.

ISLAMABAD:

An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday rejected the bail application of Kanwal, wife of Sikandar, accused in the Jinnah Avenue stand-off.

ATC Judge Atiqur Rehman rejected the bail application filed by Kanwal. She has been kept in custody in the Adiala Jail since August 31, 2013. The couple had been booked by police on charges of terrorism and attempted murder among other counts.

During the course of hearing, Advocate Kalsoom Khaliq, representing the defendant, argued that her client had no involvement in this case and that she was completely unaware of the incident. She argued that Kanwal was acting upon her husband’s instructions in order to protect her children who were present at the site of the incident. She requested the court to accept her bail application and pass orders for her release.

However Investigation Officer Abdur Rehman, opposed the arguments and maintained that the accused was involved in this case. Along with submitting video footage of the incident the prosecution argued that during the entire episode, Kanwal was assisting her husband, which was clear indication of her awareness about the plan. Rehman requested the court to reject her bail application.

Earlier police had submitted an incomplete report which declared Kanwal as an accused. The report was based on 13 witness statements which included police officers deputed at the site, driver of Sikandar, and the arms dealer Akhtar, who had provided the culprit with weapons.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgments and after deliberating during the break, it rejected the bail request. Kanwal’s counsel, while talking to reporters, said the accused will challenge the decision in the Islamabad High Court.

Earlier, in a statement to the police, Kanwal said the couple had stayed at an Aabpara hotel in Islamabad for two days, and her husband had been a drug addict up until 2009, after which he sought treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.