Embezzlement of pilgrims' money: Hajj operator awarded sentence of seven years

An accountability court on Thursday awarded sentence of seven years rigorous imprisonment along with fine to a private Hajj tour operator for embezzling Rs 40.038 million from 59 intending pilgrims.
According to a press release issued by the NAB here on Thursday, a joint complaint of 59 affectees was received by Director General National Accountability Bureau (F), alleging therein that accused No 01 Abdul Aqeel being owner of "Aqeel Travels and Tours Nowshera", deprived the complainants from their hard earned money on the pretext of sending them for the performance of Hajj in the year 2008.
The accused having no Hajj quota, could not arrange Hajj visas, thus deprived the affectees from the performance of Hajj. DG NAB (F) took cognisance of the matter and authorized Muhammad Akmal Assistant Director/IO NAB (F) to inquire/investigate into the matter who collected the evidence and established that an amount of Rs 40.238million was misappropriated by the accused persons in league with each other.
Reference No 03/2009 was filed in Accountability Court No 03 on 24.04.2009. After successful pleading of the case by Lajbar Khan Khalil, Special Prosecutor NAB (F), the learned judge Accountability Court-3 NWFP, Peshawar (Syed Afsar Shah) was convinced who framed charge against both the accused on 01.08.2009. Syed Afsar Shah on Thursday announced his judgment, convicting and sentencing the accused Abdul Aqeel for a 7 years Rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 40.038million (4 Crores and Thirty Eight Thousands) to be recovered u/s 33-E of NAO 1999 as arrears of Land Revenue.
The amount of Rs 16.255million present in the freeze accounts of the accused will be distributed amongst the affectees on proportionate basis. Evidence was preserved against co-accused Naveed Sadiq u/s 512 CrPC and perpetual warrant of arrest was issued against him because he is absconder in the case.