Axact fake degree case: There is impression FIA causing delay in matter, says IHC

ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad High Court (IHC) division bench here on Tuesday while hearing in Axact fake degree scandal was told by the federal investigation agency (FIA) that the company used to award fake degrees to different persons against the money.

One of the Axact vice president was convicted by the USA court. When FIA raided Axact office, it seized 63 items and prepared a seizure memo and collected evidence as per international standards.

IHC bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb expressed resentment over non-provision of the record to the defence counsels and said that there is an impression that FIA is causing delay in this matter. IHC bench directed FIA to provide the record or court would summon DG FIA in person. Later, the court put off the hearing till today (Wednesday).

The IHC bench was hearing in an appeal of the FIA against acquittal of the 'Axact' officials. Additional Session Judge Pervezul Qadir Memon on October 31, 2016 had acquitted the officials from the fake degree scandal and later the judge on February 15, 2018 was sacked due to his admission of receiving 5 million bribe for acquitting the accused persons.

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Raja Khalid Mehmood representing the federal government submitted before the court that the judge who acquitted 27 ‘Axact’ officials has been sacked due to his admission of receiving bribe and therefore the fake degree scandal needs to tried afresh under the law.

DAG cited Supreme Courtjudgments while saying that the apex court has ruled that in such circumstances where adjudication of a matter is not done as per law, it needs to be tried afresh.

It is to mention here that a senior executive of Axact, Umair Hamid had pleaded guilty before a USA court. Hamid is also a prosecution witness of FIA. A US court sentenced him for 20 years imprisonment.

In the present appeal, FIA through its deputy director Cyber Crime Circle in February, 2017 had contended against the acquittal of 27 officials of the Axact Company. Petitioner FIA has nominated Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Axact Shoaib Sheikh, his wife Ayesha Shoaib and 25 others as respondents.