SC dismisses bail petition of accused in ads corruption case
- By Web Desk -
- Apr 30, 2019
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday dismissed bail petition submitted by Inam Akbar who was accused in Sindh government’s advertisements corruption case, ARY News reported.
A bench comprising Justice Azmat Saeed, Justice Ijaz-ul-Hassan and Justice Mazhar Alam heard bail plea of an accused in the case relating to embezzlement of funds allocated for the advertisement of the Sindh government.
The bail petition was dismissed as the petitioner withdrew its plea following an interim order of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in the case. Akbar’s lawyer said that the high court has given final verdict over the bail petition.
Justice Saeed asked the Kamran Murtaza’s lawyer to continue his arguments on the original case as he is the prime accused in the case. The lawyer argued that Inam Akbar was a director of the firm while three accused have received bails in the case.
Justice Hassan remarked that Akbar was also performing additional duties as chief executive of the company. He added that Akbar had received Rs200 million against the bill of Rs44 million which was more than the written amount.
“All the money transferred to your personal bank account,” remarked Justice Hassan.
The lawyer argued that there were 52 witnesses in the case and the trial was not initiated so far.
Justice Hassan said, “High court had also ordered an inquiry into this, but you have left on payroll and some time to JPMC [Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre] hospital. You were also tried to play hide-and-seek with the court.”
“Following your conduct, the high court directed to open an inquiry, whereas, the three accused, who were released on bail, are only frontmen,” added Justice Hassan.
Justice Azmat Saeed remarked, “Sorry Mr lawyer, it doesn’t meet the criteria of bail. You should move to the trial court to run this case.”
Murtaza’s counsel pleaded the apex court to permit his client for withdrawing its case. He added, “After the withdrawal of this plea, we will file a new petition on medical grounds.”
Justice Saeed remarked that the petitioner was allowed to file a new plea on whatsoever ground he wants to register his petition.
To this, the lawyer pleaded SC to permit the petitioner for bail on medical ground. The apex court remarked that it could not write a single ground [for bail], however, the plea can only be filed on every fresh ground.