January 27, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 26, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 26: The Sindh High Court asked the town police officer of Lyari on Thursday to appear on Feb 23 and explain why he failed to help the Karachi Building Control Authority evacuate and demolish an unauthorized structure.

A non-governmental organization moved the court against a building raised on plots 16-LY and 17-LY, Cinema Road, Baghdadi, Lyari. It said the builder had no approval from the KBCA and had otherwise violated the building rules and regulations.

Disposing of the petition on Aug 25, 2005, an SHC division bench ordered the demolition of the building and asked the KBCA to submit a compliance report within two months.

The petitioner NGO again approached the court as the unauthorized construction remained intact. The KBCA said in reply to a court notice in fresh proceedings that its demolition squad went to the site. The building was occupied and the occupants put up stiff resistance to any action by the squad. The KBCA sought police help in accordance with the SHC order but no assistance was made available despite repeated requests.

The petition came up before a division bench, comprising Justices Syed Zawwar Hussain Jaffery and Maqbool Baqar and the petitioner’s counsel, Abdul Jabbar Korai, submitted that the police were asked to provide assistance in the demolition order, but had ignored the court direction.

The bench asked the Lyari TPO to appear in person along with the SHO of Baghdadi and explain why he failed to act in accordance with the court order. The deputy controller of buildings concerned was also asked to be present.

The court was told that despite repeated requests, the police were not providing assistance for executing the court order.

BAIL: The two alleged extortionists arrested on the complaint of Cantonment Board, Hyderabad, employee on charge of collecting parking fee despite an order of High Court of Sindh, were admitted to bail against a solvent surety of Rs75,000 each here on Thursday, agencies add.

The bench comprised Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro and Justice Rahmat Hussain Jaffery. The applicants were booked under Section 21-D of Anti Terrorism Act read with section 497, CrPC on a complaint made by Asif Masood, an employee of Hyderabad Cantonment Board.

The bench today after hearing the counsel for the applicant granted bail to the accused against a solvent surety of Rs75,000 each.

HEARING ADJOURNED: The Sindh High Court on Thursday adjourned hearing of appeals filed by activists of banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi against their conviction in sectarian killing case after closing arguments of appellant’s counsel.

Mohammad Ajmal alias Akram Lahori, Attaullah, Mohammad Azam and Malik Tassaduq Hussain were convicted by anti terrorism court in Karachi having found guilty them for killing six worshipers and injuring five others at Imambargah Ali Murtaza in Memhmoodabad area Karachi in October 2001.

The court sentenced Attaullah and Azam to death while awarded life imprisonment to Akram Lahori and Tassaduq on August 19, 2003. The state also filed appeal for enhancement of sentence of Akram and Tasaduq.

Their counsel M R Syed contended that the conviction is illegal as there was serious contradictions and divergence in prosecution case and its witnesses.

SHC’s division bench, comprising Justice Mohammad Afzal Soomro and Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery, fixed the matter for Friday for hearing arguments of Assistant Advocate General.