LAHORE, Oct 7: A Lahore High Court division bench on Friday released PML-Q leader Ahad Malik’s daughter Ayesha Malik on bail and ordered an inquiry against the anti-terrorism court judge who had remanded her in 10-day police custody for her alleged involvement in a kidnap case.

Heading the bench, Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry suspended the remand order by ATC judge Tahir Pervaiz and directed LHC’s human rights and vigilance cell director general Kazim Ali Malik to probe into work, conduct and integrity of the judge (Pervaiz) and submit a report by the next hearing.

The CJ noted in his written order: “Prima facie some foul play smack on the part of the anti-terrorism court-II judge.”

The chief justice also expressed his wonder when it was revealed to him that the police had not sought the relief which the ATC judge (Tahir Pervaiz) granted to them. The CJ doubted all the proceedings held by the ATC judge, and remarked that such a judicial officer should be no more in the court.

The CJ also took notice of the insertion of Section 365-A of PPC in the FIR and ordered the inspector general of Punjab police to take action against the Defence-A station house officer and the investigation in charge . He directed the IG to appoint DIG Maj Mubasharullah (retired) to hold an inquiry against both policemen.

The chief justice after suspending the ATC judge order allowed Ayesha Malik an interim bail till Oct 13.

The accused lady had challenged her remand through Advocate Azam Nazir Tarar and submitted that she was implicated in a false and frivolous case.

The counsel pleaded that his client and her teenaged daughter, Mahnoor, had obtained pre-arrest bail from the court of an additional district and sessions judge. But after the court granted them bail, the police arrested them again. The trial court was informed about the second arrest and the presiding officer summoned the investigating officer.

The officer informed the court that the petitioner and her daughter were arrested in another case. At this the court had referred the matter to the anti-terrorism court for further proceedings.

Advocate Tarar pleaded that the case against the petitioner was false, frivolous and registered for ulterior motives and political considerations.

The counsel argued that the ATC judge granted 10-day physical remand of his client to the police which was illegal. He prayed to the court to set aside the remand order for being violative to fundamental rights and without lawful authority.

The counsel also requested the court that insertion of Section 365-A in the FIR be declared illegal.

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