SHC issues show-cause notices to FIA directors for not complying with court orders

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday took exception to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) failure to comply with court orders in cases filed by citizens against FIA inquiries, and issued show-cause notices to the directors of the FIA’s State Bank, commercial banks and anti-corruption circles.

During hearings of separate petitions against the FIA’s inquires, a division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha observed that an FIA investigation officer had been directed to appear before the court along with explanation but he did not appear.

The SHC observed that the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle director had also been directed to appear in person and explain inefficiency of his officer; however, both the investigation officer and director did not appear before the court despite clear directions.

The high court issued a show-cause notice to the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle director for failing to appear and also issued a bailable warrant against the investigation officer in sum of Rs25,000 to ensure his appearance before the court on the next date of hearing.

The SHC also took notice of non-implementation of a court order issued to the FIA State Bank Circle director in another petition. The high court observed that the FIA director had been directed to send an officer well conversant with the facts of the case but the order was not complied with.

The bench issued a show-cause notice to the FIA State Bank Circle director telling him to appear before the court along with all the relevant information as well as submit a reply to the show-cause notice.

In another case, the high court observed that FIA Investigation Officer Bilal Ahmed, who was the incharge of inquiries, had been directed to appear before the court along with relevant files but he did not comply with the directive.

The SHC also observed that the FIA CBC deputy director had been directed to appear and explain the inefficiency of his officer but he also did not appear. The high court issued a show-cause notice to the FIA CBC deputy director and directed him to appear along with the investigation officer. The SHC warned that in case of non-appearance, appropriate order shall be passed against them under the law. The high court also issued bailable warrants against the FIA investigation officer in sum of Rs25,000.