LAHORE, April 28: Special Appellate Bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday partly heard the appeal of ex-MPA Farukh Javed Ghuman, and adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Wednesday) against conviction by the accountability court, Lahore.

The bench comprised Justice Tassaduq Husain Jilani and Justice Bashir A Mujahid.

The court adjourned the hearing while NAB prosecutor Muhammad Husain Chichar was continuing his arguments.

The appeal filed through Advocate Malik Manzoor Ahmad against three-year rigorous imprisonment and Rs100,000 fine in a reference of ‘having acquired huge immovable properties disproportionate to the accused’s known sources of income.’

The accountability court had also forfeited 12 properties (1,136 kanals and four marlas) at Ghaus Muhammadwala village, acquired by the accused on his own and relatives’ name through mutations of exchange.

The court said the prosecution could prove illegality in the transfer of mutation only in 1,136 kanals and four marlas out of the 4,000 kanals.

The court had also disqualified Ghuman for 10 years for seeking, or from being elected, chosen, appointed or nominated member or representative of any public office or any statutory or local authority of the government of Pakistan.

The appellant stated that he was innocent. He pleaded the court to set aside the conviction and acquit him.—APP