KARACHI: A judicial magistrate extended on Thursday the physical remand of the chief executive officer of a software company and eight other officials in a fake degrees and money laundering case.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) produced Axact CEO Shoaib Ahmed Shaikh, Viqas Atique, Zeeshan Anwar, Mohammad Sabir, Zeeshan Ahmed – who have been on remand since May 27 – Mohammed Rizwan, Imran Ahmed Khan, Atif Hussain and Adnan Sabur. They were produced before the court at the end of their first remand. The last four suspects were remanded in the FIA’s custody on June 3.

Also read: Axact’s officials remanded in FIA custody

They have been accused of preparing and selling fake degrees, diplomas and accreditation certificates of fictitious schools and universities through a fraudulent online system and illegally minting millions of dollars.

The investigating officer in a progress report said that four new suspects had been arrested and incriminating material found in their possession. He said that certificates bearing the signatures of high-level foreign personalities had also been found.

‘Four new suspects held, incriminating material found’

The IO sought extension in the remand on the grounds that interrogation had not been completed and scrutiny of recovered articles was still under way.

Defence lawyers opposed the FIA’s request, saying the custody of their clients was no longer required because recoveries had already been made.

They said the FIA was seeking further remand with mala fide intentions of harassing the suspects and compelling them to confess committing what they had not committed.

Judicial Magistrate (South) Noor Mohammad Kalmati observed that some progress had been made in the case, but extended the physical remand of all suspects till June 7 and asked the IO to produce them along with diaries and progress report on June 8.

The court asked the IO to allow Mr Shaikh’s and Mr Atique’s treatment at a private hospital and also issued orders for treatment of other suspects.

Employees of Bol Network and its parent company Axact, who had gathered on court premises, showered rose petals on Mr Shaikh and others.

Published in Dawn June 5th, 2015

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