ISLAMABAD: An additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) of Islamabad has granted bail to owner of a private housing society convicted for tree chopping and causing environmental degradation.

ADSJ Awais Mohammad Khan suspended the order of senior special magistrate of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) that convicted the chief executive (CE) of Ghauri Town Chaudhry Mohammad Usman and sentenced him for three years imprisonment, imposed fine of Rs1.5 billion and directed the management of the society to plant trees worth Rs1billion.

Usman through his counsel Qazi Adil Aziz challenged the conviction before the ADSJ Awais Mohammad Khan.

The counsel argued before the court that CDA’s magistrate failed to appreciate evidence in its true perspective; that the judgement was against the law and facts.

He further argued that the magistrate conducted summary trial of the case, without giving ample opportunity to the defence. He requested the court to suspend the conviction and release the accused on bail.

ADSJ Khan subsequently suspended the conviction and ordered release of Usman on bail against Rs600,000 surety bonds. The court adjourned further hearing on the appeal of Usman against his conviction till Oct 11.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2021