ISLAMABAD: Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, on Friday challenged his detention in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Lakhvi was granted post-arrest bail by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad on December 18. However, the federal government extended his detention in the Adiala Jail under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance.

Over two dozen supporters of Lakhvi reached outside the IHC building even before the arrival of his counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi.

Also read: Mumbai attack 'mastermind' Lakhvi detained under MPO

In the petition, the counsel contended that the ATC granted bail to his client subject to the submission of surety bonds worth Rs1 million. He said after the Mumbai attacks, the government had also detained Hafiz Saeed, the head of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), but the Lahore High Court (LHC) set aside his detention.

Advocate Abbasi told Dawn that he had requested IHC Chief Justice Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi to refer the matter to the available bench of Justice Noorul Haq N. Qureshi after the court closing hours which was accepted and the case fixed before the bench at about 3pm.

Appearing before the court, the counsel requested Justice Qureshi to suspend the detention order against Lakhvi. However, the judge replied that he would decide the matter after hearing the stance of the federal government. Further hearing of the matter was adjourned till Monday.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2014