November 02, 2007	Friday	Shawwal 20, 1428

RAWALPINDI, Nov 1: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench here on Thursday adjourned hearing in the bail applications of former Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz in four different cases till November 5.

The bench comprising Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha and Justice Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah were to decide about the bail application of the Maulana in four cases - murder of a Ranger, abduction of Chinese masseurs and two cases of abduction of police personnel - all related to Lal Masjid on Thursday. But, the bench deferred the hearing after the government moved the court for the cancellation of bail of 32 persons in the cases of death of the Ranger and abduction of police personnel. They, including members of the family of the Maulana, were granted bail by an anti-terrorism court in September.

Lawyer of Maulana Abdul Aziz, Checkout Aziz Siddique argued that the demand of the government was tantamount to contempt of the Supreme Court. He maintained that the government itself had submitted a report before the apex court that all the accused in Lal Masjid incidents had been released except Maulana Abdul Aziz.

Additional Advocate General (AAG) Qazi Amin sought more time, saying the government wanted to look into the relevance of the Supreme Court in the case. The bench adjourned the hearing till Monday, saying that it would hear the bail applications of Maulana Aziz and government petition for cancellation of bails jointly on next date.

It may be mentioned her that as many as 27 cases have been registered against Maulana Aziz while an ATC has already granted bail to him in eight different cases.