Release of Khanani, Kalia: Chief Justice orders judicial inquiry

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Monday ordered a judicial inquiry into release of Khanani and Kalia foreign exchange company owners, by allegedly paying huge amount of bribe to the authorities concerned.
The chief justice took action on media reports, in which director-general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had claimed that Khanani and Kalia Foreign Exchange Company owners, who were behind the bars for their alleged involvement in money laundering, had used huge amount of money as bribe for their release from the jail despite having enough evidence against them.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan directed Chief Justice of Sindh High Court (SHC) to probe into the matter by appointing a senior judge of the apex court to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegations and submit a report within seven days to the apex court.
"Let the SHC chief justice probe into the matter by appointing a senior judge of that court to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegation and submit a report within seven days for further action, if needed. The inquiry should be conducted without prejudice, keeping in view purely the merits of the case", says a statement issued by the court.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took notice of DG FIA statement, published in various newspapers that the owners of Khanani and Kalia foreign exchange company allegedly involved in money laundering of billions of rupees have bribed the concerned authorities for their release, despite ample evidence against the accused. It is further alleged that the owners received VIP treatment in jail as they spent most of their time in hospital. It has also been alleged that the jail doctors kept both of them under treatment without recommendations of the medical board. Further, it is to be noted Khanani and Kalia succeeded in getting their release orders from the court prior to the completion of inquiry into the money laundering case.
"It is fairly serious allegation apparently levelled inter alia against the presiding officer of the banking court, Karachi, which decided the case. Although the allegation is of general nature and does not specify that who and at what level the alleged corruption took place but apparently it relates to investigation, prosecution, the banking court, etc and requires probe", the SC statement added.