ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of a would-be suicide bomber.

The Margalla police said they arrested Meera Jan on June 26, 2011, near Karachi Company bus stand and recovered an explosive jacket, hand grenade, a 30-bore pistol and six bullets from his possession. Meera Jan is currently confined in Central Jail Adiala.

The single bench of IHC Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman in its order observed: “Incidents of terrorism have increased in the country and innocent people are being deprived of their lives; the same must be dealt with an iron hand.”

It said: “Overwhelming incrementing material is available on record to connect the petitioner with the commission of offence. Prima facie, the petitioner is involved in offence against the society, which is a heinous offence.”

According to the court order, Meera Jan was involved in an offence which is punishable with life imprisonment and in such cases grant of bail is an exception while the petitioner's counsel has failed to highlight any exception.

Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed Gujjar, the petitioner's counsel, informed the court that his client was absolutely innocent and had been roped in the case by Islamabad police in order to show their fake efficiency.

He contended that the petitioner had become a victim of family rivalry and the Margalla police on the instigation of the opponents of the petitioner had implicated him in a false case. “Nothing was recovered from the possession of the petitioner and he has no concern with the suicide jacket,” he added.

Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri contended that Meera Jan was arrested with other co-accused.

He opposed the grant of bail to the accused and requested the court to dismiss the petition. On July 28, Additional Sessions Judge Islamabad Syed Wajahat Hussain had also dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of the accused.