LHC orders release of Mumbai attacks suspect Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday suspended the detention of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and ordered his immediate release.

Lakhvi had moved the LHC, challenging his detention and claiming it to be unlawful. His lawyers had maintained in their petition that Lakhvi was being kept in custody despite higher courts ending his detention.

The LHC also accepted Lakhvi's bail application, ordering his release on the submission of two bail bonds worth Rs 1 million each.

Higher courts in Pakistan have previously ordered Lakhvi’s release three times, only for the government to extend his custody after court orders.

Last month, the Islamabad High Court declared Lakhvi’s detention illegal and ordered his release.

The IHC order drew India’s ire and prompted the Indian External Affairs Ministry to summon the Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and lodge a protest.

A day later, the Punjab Home Ministry restored Lakhvi’s detention orders for another month.