RAWALPINDI:
A Special Anti-Corruption Court presided over by District and Sessions Judge, Khawar Rasheed, has approved the bail applications of District Education Authority’s CEO, Amanullah Khan Cheehna, and education department cashier, Arshad Mehmood, who were arrested in connection with an alleged Rs80 million corruption case. The court has ordered their immediate release from Adiala Jail.
The court stated that prima facie there is no evidence of corruption against the two individuals. Furthermore, the legal requirements for the arrest of a Grade-19 officer were not fulfilled, including the mandatory prior approval from the chief secretary of Punjab. The anti-corruption department also failed to clarify on whose orders the inquiry was initiated. The court noted that no one can be detained in jail merely on the basis of corruption allegations. The decision was reserved on Monday after the completion of arguments, and the court has also directed that the challan (charge sheet) should be submitted along with the scheduling of the next hearing.
During the proceedings, the anti-corruption investigation team failed to answer any of the court’s questions. The court had summoned the director of Anti-Corruption to appear in person for questioning, but he remained absent citing illness.
