SHC once again dismisses Khursheed Shah’s bail plea in assets case

KARACHI (92 News) – The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday once again dismissed the bail plea of People’s Party’s Syed Khursheed Shah in assets beyond means case.

The court bench also directed the trial court to decide the case without delay. The bench had reserved its judgment in the case earlier on July 12.

In his argument, Khursheed's lawyers said that their client has been in jail for last 22 months and the NAB delaying the case. Counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan said that only three witnesses have recorded their statements from total 44 in the reference during the period.

“Trial court has conducted 16 hearings of the case and we only once pleaded for adjournment of the hearing,” Khursheed Shah’s counsel further argued.

NAB prosecutor in his arguments said that Khursheed Shah has been admitted at the cardiovascular hospital most of the time, which hindered progress in the inquiry.

The case has been delayed due to the delaying tactics of the accused, the prosecutor said.

Shah, his two sons and wives are among 18 indicted in Rs1.24 billion assets reference.

Multiple corruption cases against Shah are under investigation with NAB. In 2012, an accountability court had directed NAB to file a reference against him on a complaint pertaining to alleged accumulation of illegitimate assets.

In 2013, NAB had reopened two corruption cases against Shah under the directives of the Lahore High Court. 

Khursheed Shah has spent 22 months in detention after being arrested by the National Accountability Bureau’s Sukkur chapter on September 18, 2019.