The Lahore High Court (LHC) here on Tuesday sought reply from Director General (DG) National Accountability Bureau (NAB) within fortnight in a petition filed by Syed Sibt-ul Hassan Gilani alias Double Shah seeking directions to NAB to decide on his application for the reduction of Surety bonds from Rs 3 billion to 100 million to finalise his plea bargain.
The petitioner submitted that he was arrested on April 28, 2007 on the allegations of cheating the public at large and depriving them of their amounts received. He submitted that Director General NAB filed a reference against him on November, 2007 in Accountability Court, Lahore.
A total number of 4411 people including 126 agents submitted their claims for Rs 5438.8079 million. The petitioner said that he moved application in 2009 for plea bargaining, which was conditionally accepted by DG NAB and same was presented in Accountability court for approval but the court could not decide the matter despite lapse of 11 months.
He submitted that later, on a LHC direction, the case was transferred to another court, which approved the plea bargain on the condition that the petitioner would submit a demand note favouring Chairman NAB, personal guarantee, property surety bonds and post dated cheques for Rs 3 billion.
The petitioner submitted that he had fulfilled all conditions except property surety bonds of worth Rs 3 billion, which he tried his level best to comply but due to prolong incarnation, he was not in a position to arrange guarantee of land property. He moved an application to Chairman NAB for reduction of surety from Rs 3 billion to 100 million but no decision was made on his application till now, which delayed finalisation of plea bargain. The petitioner contended that the condition imposed was in violation of Article 3,4 and 9 of the constitution, therefore, surety may be reduced to 100 million.