Jinnah Avenue standoff: ATC indicts Kanwal, arms dealer
The accused deny charges.
The building of the Anti Terrorism Court. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday indicted two of the suspects booked on multiple charges including terrorism and attempted murder in the Jinnah-Avenue standoff.
ATC Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi indicted Kanwal, wife of the main character of the armed standoff, Sikandar and arms dealer, Akhtar Ali, who provided him with guns and ammunition.
Both the accused, who were produced before the court during the course of hearing, denied the charges following which, the court issued notices to the witnesses and adjourned the case till October 4. Kanwal’s lawyer had earlier claimed that she had been acting to protect her children, but the police have said that she had been constantly changing her statements. The charge-sheet comprises statements of 13 witnesses including police officials deployed at the site and Sikandar’s driver. The police have accused Kanwal of being involved in the incident since its inception.
Kanwal has been in Adiala Jail since August 31, after the police booked her for being an accomplice to her husband. Ali was granted bail by the ATC on September 13 after the police registered a case against him for supplying arms to Sikander.
Kanwal has filed a bail application at the Islamabad High Court in response to which Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Kasi has sought reply from the state till October 12.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday indicted two of the suspects booked on multiple charges including terrorism and attempted murder in the Jinnah-Avenue standoff.
ATC Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi indicted Kanwal, wife of the main character of the armed standoff, Sikandar and arms dealer, Akhtar Ali, who provided him with guns and ammunition.
Both the accused, who were produced before the court during the course of hearing, denied the charges following which, the court issued notices to the witnesses and adjourned the case till October 4. Kanwal’s lawyer had earlier claimed that she had been acting to protect her children, but the police have said that she had been constantly changing her statements. The charge-sheet comprises statements of 13 witnesses including police officials deployed at the site and Sikandar’s driver. The police have accused Kanwal of being involved in the incident since its inception.
Kanwal has been in Adiala Jail since August 31, after the police booked her for being an accomplice to her husband. Ali was granted bail by the ATC on September 13 after the police registered a case against him for supplying arms to Sikander.
Kanwal has filed a bail application at the Islamabad High Court in response to which Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Kasi has sought reply from the state till October 12.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.