KARACHI, Oct 24: A division bench of the Sindh High Court comprising Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Muhammed Ashraf Leghari, on Wednesday, granted bail to applicant Saleem Abbas Jafri in the murder case of 12 workers of Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan.

The bench granting bail directed the accused to submit surety of Rs0.5 million to the Nazir of SHC.

According to prosecution, the applicant/accused accompanied by co-accused Tanveer Abbas, Zamarrud Hussain and another absconding accused, fired at a rally of SSP in the jurisdiction of the Jamshed Colony PS. As a result, 12 persons died while several others sustained injuries in the incident which occurred on Aug 14, 1996.

Nasir Hussain Jafri, advocate, appearing for the accused, submitted that the present applicant/accused were not named in the FIR and that they were falsely implicated in the case after arrest in another case in Dec 1997, more than a year after the alleged incident.

He also raised the ground of statutory delay and submitted that since Dec 1997, the applicant is in judicial custody. AAG Syed Abbas Ali did not oppose the bail and the bench, after hearing both the sides, admitted the accused/applicant to bail.

Another bench of SHC comprising Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice S.Ali Aslam Jafri adjourned till Oct 26, hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Abdul Qadir and Hanif, relatives of two detenues Muhammed Hanif and Muhammed Ashraf in an accountability case.

Khalid Anwer, advocate, appearing for the petitioner, maintained that the detenues are builders and developers and were not involved in any fraud or misconduct.

The counsel for applicant submitted that the detenues were taken into custody without any grounds for their arrest.

The copy of order for further remand of the accused was communicated to this court, he said, adding that the RAB authorities are violating Section 24 (D) of the NAB Ordinance.—APP