PESHAWAR, Nov 18: An accountability court here on Friday remanded a provincial additional secretary in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody for 10 days in cases of corruption and misuse of authority in purchase of official helicopters and other affairs.

The accused, Mohammad Raheem Khan, was produced before the accountability court presided over by Syed Afsar Shah amid tight security by the concerned investigation officer of NAB (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).

The investigation officer informed the court that the accused was arrested a day earlier and he was suspected of being involved in misappropriation of public exchequer. He requested the court that for the purpose of investigation NAB needed physical custody of the accused and he may be remanded for that purpose.

The NAB has alleged that the accused was posted as deputy secretary in administration department in April, 2008. By virtue of his appointment he was holding the charge of drawing and disbursing officer and was later promoted as additional secretary.

It is alleged that certain accounts were opened in the name of deputy secretary administration. It is added that on the approval of competent authority Rs841.970 million were deposited in one of the accounts by the provincial finance department for subsequent purchase of helicopters.

The NAB alleged that an amount of Rs829.08 million was paid to the suppliers leaving a balance of Rs13.579 million in the account. The accused illegally transferred an amount of Rs11.723 million out of the unspent amount.

Moreover, 50 per cent rental income generated from Shahi Mehman Khana Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House Islamabad amounting to Rs8.409 million was also allegedly embezzled by the accused.