Kidnapping case: Lakhvi’s indictment deferred, yet again

Prosecutor says next hearing may be held in Adiala Jail.

ISLAMABAD: The judicial magistrate on Saturday again deferred the indictment of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in a kidnapping case after he failed to appear in court owing to security reasons. 

In December last year, the Golra police had registered a case against Lakhvi for allegedly kidnapping Anwar Khan, a resident of the capital’s outskirts, six years ago.

Lakhvi was to be indicted in the case on Saturday, however, he did not appear due to security reasons. The indictment was deferred till March 13, said special prosecutor Amir Nadeem Tabish.

The prosecutor added that Lakhvi may be indicted in Adiala Jail due to security reasons and if so, the Islamabad chief commissioner will issue a formal notification in this regard.

The prosecutor said he will file an application before the Islamabad police and the chief commissioner to initiate the trial inside the jail premises.

On February 14, the magistrate had rejected Lakhvi’s acquittal plea.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Mujahid Sherdil has already extended Lakhvi’s detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order. Currently, Lakhvi is under detention in Adiala Jail.

Lakhvi, a senior figure of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, was also allegedly involved in planning, financing and executing the Mumbai attacks in 2008.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2015.