NAB arrests accused, then searches for evidence: Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Tuesday questioned the method adopted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to arrest the accused persons during investigation.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mushir Alam, heard the bail application of one Faisal Kamran Qureshi. During the hearing, Justice Mushir Alam observed that the anti-graft body first arrested the accused, put him behind the bar and then started the investigation, searching out for evidence and testimonies.

“Why the NAB doesn’t arrest the accused after completing the investigation,” Justice Mushir Alam questioned, adding that the authority should first complete the inquiry, then award punishment to accused persons.

NAB Prosecutor Imranul Haq, however, submitted before the court that accused persons are arrested for tampering the record in the matter. He informed the court that the accused Faisal Kamran Qurashi made a fraud with the people in the name of making investment in the stock exchange. The NAB prosecutor further informed the court that a reference has been filed against the accused and assured that they will try their best to complete soon, the process on the said reference.

Counsel for the accused contended that his client had already paid the payable amount, adding that his client had also pursued the said case in the Federal Investigation Agency as well. Meanwhile, the court dismissed as withdrawn the bail application filed by the accused.