Mumbai attack: Lakhvi detention gets 30-day extension

Islamabad DC issues formal notification

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration on Monday extended detention orders of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks, for further 30 days.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mujahid Sherdil issued a notification in this regard, extending the detention orders under section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

Lakhvi is under detention in the Adiala Jail.

Lakhvi, the commander of proscribed militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was allegedly involved in planning and executing the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks that had killed over 160 people.

On January 16, the ICT Administration extended the detention orders for 10 days without a formal notification, however, this time the detention orders have been issued through a notification.

The local administration detained Lakhvi under section 3 of the MPO immediately after he was granted post-arrest bail by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on December 18, 2014.

“The basic objective of extending detention orders is to stop Lakhvi from attending any public meeting or potentially regrouping his [banned outfit],” said an ICT official.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought a compliance report from Adiala Jail officials after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) challenged the granting of post-arrest bail to Lakhvi.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui heard an application filed by FIA Special Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar and later sought a compliance report from jail authorities by January 26.

During the course of the hearing, Azhar requested the court to issue fresh notices to the jail authorities and Lakhvi for compliance orders. The prosecutor said that the government was facing immense pressure from the international community and two countries have demanded that Pakistan hand over Lakhvi to them.

Justice Siddiqui observed that diplomatic apprehensions have nothing to do with court matters. “If you are in a hurry, send the case to military courts,” observed Justice Siddiqui. After issuing notices, the court adjourned till January 26.

The FIA’s application maintains that the trial court overlooked some evidence while granting bail to Lakhvi.

The ATC, while granted bail to Lakhvi, had observed that “as per contents of the FIR against Lakhvi, the incident took place in November 2008, whereas the report was lodged against him on February 2, 2009”.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2015.