NAB to challenge bail to its officer in SHC

KARACHI: Instead of internal inquiry or refereing the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to challenge the NAB Court decision of granting bail to its Investigation Officer (IO) Kamran Janwari, allegedly involved in corruption case, in the Sindh High Court (SHC).

On May 21, the NAB was caught in an embarrassing situation as the court granted bail to its investigation officer accused of receiving two air conditioners. Reliable sources told The News that the NAB high-ups decided to challenge the lower court decision at upper forum in the SHC.

The NAB issued a statement on May 24 in which it claimed that in line with its policy of zero tolerance for corruption within the Bureau, Kamran Janwari, an officer of Investigation Wing 3, NAB Karachi, has been caught red handed. He is being proceeded against under the provisions of NAO 1999. A graft case has been registered against him and has been put behind bars.

According to the anti-corruption court judgment, the application for remand of accused Kamran Janwari under section 24(d) of NAB ordinance, 1999(NAO) is filed by senior Investigation Officer Asghar Khan of NAB in the court of administrative judge, Accountability Courts, Sindh, seeking 15 days NAB custody and remand of the accused. The accused is produced in NAB custody and did not complain of any maltreatment at the hands of NAB.

Documents say deputy prosecutor general NAB submitted that the accused Kamran Ali is IO NAB, and he was authorised investigation in the matter of embezzlement of funds of TMA Chachro by Assistant Commissioner Mehboob Ali Zardari and others. Kamran Ali allegedly got two air conditioner as illegal gratification from AC Zardari in the said investigation of embezzlement of funds and he also demanded more gratification from them. The accused was arrested on May 17 in pursuance of warrants of arrest issued by the DG NAB Karachi.