Kidnapping case: Lakhvi indictment deferred again

Police fail to produce suspect in court; hearing tomorrow.

RAWALPINDI: A judicial magistrate on Saturday deferred the indictment of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi again after the police failed to produce the accused in court due to ‘security reasons’.

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

Lakhvi’s indictment had also been delayed earlier for the same reason.

The indictment has now been deferred till March 13, said special prosecutor Amir Nadeem Tabish. The court directed him to argue on the report sent by the jail officials in the next hearing, to be held on April 6.

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

The prosecutor said he will file an application before the Islamabad police and the chief commissioner requesting the initiation of trial proceedings inside the jail.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mujahid Sherdil has already extended Lakhvi’s detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2015.