NAB gets notice on Ahad bail plea

LAHORE : The Lahore High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on a bail petition of former director general of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Ahad Khan Cheema in a reference of assets beyond means.

A division bench headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan heard initial arguments of Cheema’s counsel and issued notice to the NAB for submission of written reply by April 11.

The counsel argued that the allegations by the NAB were baseless and without any evidence. He said the trial of the case was still at initial stage and its conclusion was not possible on account of the peculiar nature of the charge.

He said the incarceration of the petitioner for an infinite period would tantamount to punishment before trial. He said the petitioner was a government servant and there was no apprehension of absconding if he was released on bail. He asked the bench to allow the petition and release Cheema on bail.

The NAB alleged that Cheema owned moveable and immoveable properties in his own name and also in the name of benamidars worth around Rs600 million. It said Cheema accumulated assets beyond his known sources of income and on the basis of corrupt practices as defined under section 9 (A) (V) of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999.

An accountability court had sent him to jail on judicial remand on March 21, 2018 enabling him to file bail petition before the high court.