LAHORE, Aug 21: The Lahore High Court dismissed on Wednesday a bail petition of a CNG station owner involved in a gas theft case registered by the Gujrat police.

The SNGPL authorities served a detection bill of Rs18.2 million and also imposed a fine on Malik Nadir Hussain after the gas theft was established. The penalty was followed by registration of a criminal case.

The counsel for the accused argued that his client was not the owner of the CNG station but a sleeping partner in the business. He said the real owner was still at large.

The counsel prayed to the court to allow the petition for a pre-arrest bail.

The court, however, observed that the accused being a sleeping partner had been enjoying full profit of the business and thus was equally responsible for illegal acts. The court dismissed the bail petition.

Another court summoned SNGPL officials and the Sheikhupura assistant commissioner in a petition seeking restoration of a factory sealed on gas theft charges.

The petitioner through his counsel pleaded that the local administration illegally sealed his factory as the DCO had no power to do so.

The DCO also appeared before the court and denied having issued order to seal the petitioner’s factory.

He, however, said the petitioner had got illegal connection and had also been stealing gas. He pointed out that the assistant commissioner had ordered sealing of the factory.

The court adjourned the hearing till Aug 23 and summoned the SNGPL authorities and the AC of the district.