Four cops acquitted of embezzlement in weapons scam

PESHAWAR: An accountability court on Saturday acquitted four senior police officers in the high-profile weapon purchase case.

The court acquitted Director General Intelligence Bureau (and the then DIG headquarters) Dr Mohammad Suleman, Additional Inspector General Headquarters Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kashif Alam (the then AIG Establishment) and two DIGs Sajid Ali and Sadiq Kamal.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed the case against them on the charges of irregularities in purchase of weapons in 2009-2010.

The NAB filed the reference after it was alleged that irregularities were committed in the purchase of weapons for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force.

The counsels for the cops told the court that nothing could be proved against their clients. They argued their clients were innocent and should be acquitted. The court acquitted Kashif Alam, Dr Suleman, Sadiq Kamal and Sajid Ali.

The verdict about two cops was reserved until August 28.

“Justice prevailed as no charge of unlawful gains or misuse of authority could be proved against the four officers,” an official said.

In 2016, the Peshawar High Court had disposed of writ petitions of three police officers after they expressed willingness to appear in the accountability court in a reference filed by the NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A two-member bench disposed of the writ petitions of the police officers after the deputy prosecutor general of NAB KP assured the court that the NAB had withdrawn the call-up notices and arrest warrants against Dr Suleman, Kashif Alam and Sadiq Kamal after they expressed willingness to appear in the trial court.

The PHC disposed of the petitions with the observation that the petitioners could avail all the legal remedies under the law in the trial court including submission of application under Section 365-K of the NAB Ordinance for acquittal in the case.

The counsels for the petitioners submitted that pendency of the cases and inclusion of their names in the NAB reference affected the careers of the police officers.