Supermodel Ayyan sent on judicial remand for twelfth time

Ayyan's judicial remand was extended till June 15

RAWALPINDI: In Ayyan Ali's ongoing money-laundering case, the model was sent on judicial remand for the twelfth time after the prosecution refused to hear her bail application.

The Custom's investigation team informed the court that a complete charge sheet had been filed.

Ayyan’s counsel Sardar Ishaq however, objected to the charge sheet saying that two absconding suspects in the case, identified as Owais and Mumtaz, were not nominated in the charge sheet.

Read: Banking court accepts Ayyan Ali's bail plea application

He further added that failure to submit a complete charge sheet has been causing delay and has affected the case.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, an official of the Customs Department said that efforts were under way to arrest the two suspects. Commenting on the charge sheet, he said that submitting a charge sheet against missing suspects was not possible.

He confirmed that the woman who bought a house for Ayyan would also be investigated.

Custom’s prosecutor Amin Feroz said that the names of Owais and Mumtaz would be included only if they were arrested and when their statements were recorded.

He further said the investigation pertaining to Ayyan’s case was complete and a charge sheet was submitted, hereby declaring Ayyan Ali the main suspect.

Read: Supermodel Ayyan sent to Adiala jail for 'smuggling' $500,000

The court then directed the customs team to complete the charge sheet by including the names of the two other suspects and submit it on next hearing scheduled for June 15.

During the course of investigations, it was found that the model also got Rs22 million in the form of 11 bank drafts which were delivered to her by a woman, who is living in Mirpurkhas, they said, adding that the details of the woman who gave the drafts to Ayyan Ali are also available with the I&IIR but her name is not being shared now because she will also be investigated.

Ayyan’s legal team are expecting to have her released on bail on Tuesday and preparations are underway to convince the court to have her released on bail.

"She cannot be kept behind the bar anymore on basis of the charge sheet submitted at the court against her," said a junior lawyer of her legal team.

On March 14, Ayyan was arrested by customs officials from Islamabad airport after over $500,000 in undeclared cash was found in her baggage.