Suspension of detention: SC to hear today appeal against Lakhvi’s bail

Lakhvi is facing a trial for allegedly planning attacks on Mumbai’s landmarks on November 26, 2008

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court will hear today (Tuesday) the federal government’s appeal against suspension of order for detention of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, will take up the government’s appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) December 29 ruling, wherein the court had suspended Lakhvi’s detention order and directed his release.

Lakhvi – who, along with six other suspects, is facing a trial in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) for allegedly planning attacks on Mumbai’s landmarks on November 26, 2008 – was granted bail by the ATC on December 18.

However, the Islamabad administration had immediately issued his detention orders, which the IHC later suspended. It must be noted that Lakhvi was rearrested a few hours after his release in a kidnapping case.

Advocate on Record Muham­mad Siddiqui Khan Baloch on Friday moved an appeal – on behalf of Interior Ministry, Islamabad Capital Territory’s district magistrate and SSP Islamabad – for early hearing of case.

In the petition, the federation said its fears that the accused, along with other suspects, might cause breach of peace.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2015.