Due process: No bail for APML leader in murder case

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Monday dismissed a bail petition by Bilal Gondal, a leader of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) from Sialkot, who is facing charges for the murder of eight people from the same family. The accused stated in his bail petition that the case against him was false and politically motivated. The prosecution informed the court that the accused had killed eight members of a family, including an eight-month-old girl. It said the accused was also involved in dozens of criminal cases, including kidnapping for ransom and other murders. The suspect had hired some criminals from a tribal area to execute his criminal activities, it added. Justice Abdul Sattar Asghar dismissed the bail petition. Gondal’s private guards unsuccessfully tried to prevent Sialkot police personnel from arresting the accused. The LHC security called Mozang police who also arrested the guards.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2014.