Pakistan

LHC orders Ayyan's release on bail

This was Ayyan's third bail plea as earlier the LHC and a Rawalpindi customs court rejected two previous petitions

Web Desk July 14, 2015

A policeman escorting Ali seen examining the suspect. PHOTO: ONLINE

A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday granted bail to supermodel Ayan Ali in money smuggling charges.

Arguing before the bench comprising Justice Anwarul Haq and Justice Arshad Mahmood Tabassum, Ayyan’s counsel claimed the Customs officials had arrested her and raised fake charges of money smuggling.

“She has been behind bars for the last four months and under Customs Act, if the accused is a woman and if the investigation is completed she can be bailed out,” the counsel upheld.

Further, he said his client is a woman and investigation is complete therefore, she should be released on bail.

The supermodel’s counsel also said that laws for money laundering and money smuggling are of different kinds but Customs authorities have raised allegations of money laundering against her but according to the factual position, she should have been charged in money smuggling.

“For money laundering it is necessary for an accused to board a flight but she was not, therefore allegations against her were baseless and she should be granted bail,” he added. The court will issue a written order later.

The counsel went on to add that his client is an 'honourable girl' implicated in a fake case as part of a conspiracy. "Customs authorities illegally implicated her in a money laundering case. "

"Ayan neither got her boarding card nor stamp of exit on her passport, therefore she does not fall under the definition of a traveler and in such a situation no money laundering case was justified against her," the counsel upheld.

Earlier on Monday, a division bench of the LHC had allowed the model to place on record more documents in her bail application in the money laundering case. The bench had sought responses from the federal government and the Customs authorities.

Read: Judge on leave: Ayyan Ali’s remand extended once again

In the application, Ayyan’s counsel had submitted that she had been imprisoned for four months. He said under the Customs Act women suspects in money laundering cases could be freed on bail after completion of investigation. He added that his client was a woman and investigation in the case had been completed so she should be released on bail.

Ayyan had been arrested by the Customs officials from Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, on March 14 after US $506,800 was recovered from her luggage. She was taken to the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi where she is held.

COMMENTS (15)

Munir Mehraj | 9 years ago | Reply We can just pray to almighty Allah SH'T for the safety of pakistan. Shaheed custom inspector who caught Ayan Ali will be back to give witness.Just wait Chapter is not yet closed. Most of pakistanis are disappionted by the supreme court judgment that election -2013 were fair. we are quiet. Both cases have same deep links. Both Cases are referred to the court of Allah Sh ' T. wait wait.

Ali | 9 years ago | Reply So she is free at the cost of life a custom officer?

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Malik | 9 years ago | Reply This is a typical example of how law is manipulated by the elite to their advantage. She was caught red handed while smuggling money, which was not declared by her to FBR and was guilty of money laundering. If she had been caught in London or USA etc , by now she would have been in prison and those responsible for using her as a courier in the dock.

Lolz | 9 years ago | Reply Latif Khosa has been Ayyan Ali's counsel and the whole world knows which party he works for!!!!! How could a poor judge dare to reject the bail!!!!!

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply What idiots and dunderheads we have here blogging? The girl has been granted bail and her liberty is short lived. @raider, I earlier thought that you needed to get your head checked out but after reading your post, I seriously think that you also need to have your eyes checked out. The main caption of this news is "LHC accepts Ayyans Bail Plea." Don't you know the difference between "Freed" and "Bailed?"

Jibran | 9 years ago | Reply Fair enough. Customs acted too swiftly before the crime took place. There is no law for intended laundering, even if it could be proven.

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply There are different laws and punishments for money laundering and smuggle out currency, same as murder and attempted murder. The incompetent Customs officials should have known the difference. Had they let the model board the plane and off-loaded afterwards, then there was the possibility of getting conviction under the money laundering laws. Since no money was actually laundered (intent is not punishable otherwise everyone would be behind the bars), the case was even weaker than smuggling attempt, and the model was sure to be acquitted in trial.

goggi (Lahore) | 9 years ago | Reply The poor girl shall be long haunted from this dreadful traumatic experience! As the doctors say, every sickness should be treated instantly in the initial stage otherwise it can later become life threatening! Fatal happenings often come from little causes! The same rule applies for all the corrupt governmental institutions of Pakistan which function with bribery and forgery. Better give a bone to a hungry dog before it chop off a piece of meat from your leg!!!! Even in private schools if you want to admit your child you have to bribe what they call donation!

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply A brave and honest decision by LHC. The case was very simple, money on her should have been confiscated and she should have been given bail on spot but for enjoyment, fun and enjoyment, State has spent more money on her custody than the actual amount confiscated from her.

Desi | 9 years ago | Reply And That Ladies and Gentlemen is our Justice System. Enjoy your stay in Pakistan!

Talha Siddiqui | 9 years ago | Reply “Ayan neither got her boarding card nor stamp of exit on her passport, therefore she does not fall under the definition of a traveler and in such a situation no money laundering case was justified against her,” the counsel upheld. Who got stamp of exit and boarding card on initial stage? kaun jahil hai ye.

shery | 9 years ago | Reply Poor girl is in real trouble now as she walks out of jail

SK | 9 years ago | Reply So muk muka is unfolding finally- Zardari's departure means anything in this puzzle?

raider | 9 years ago | Reply this is how the criminals are being freed, by GOD if i wold have been arrested with money, i may find myself rotting in a cell for years, no one would even hear my plea,

Acorn Guts | 9 years ago | Reply Fair enough, think that's a lesson enough for the girl. She's just a pawn and has probably come out with everything worth knowing anyway no point in keeping her any longer.

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