ISLAMABAD: "Keeping an accused in custody for long by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is unfair and unjust."

A two-member bench of apex court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, noted this while hearing the bail application of the Director Food Punjab, Muhammad Ajmal.

The bench said there should be a difference between criminal and white-collar crime cases.

Accused could be detained if there is a possible chance of manipulation or impact on the trial or society.

Justice Bandial observed that the accused conduct and movement could be controlled in many ways by confiscating the passport, bank accounts, and properties.

Abid Saqi Advocate, representing the director Food, Punjab, told that the charges were framed against his client in Aug and the accused was behind the bars for the last 14 months. The counsel informed that 80 references were pending before the NAB court, Lahore.

Justice Yahya Afridi inquired if 80 cases were pending then when the turn of this case would come.

The prosecutor general assured that no delay would be caused in the references.

He contended that if the bail was granted as the trial was delayed then every accused would seek bail.

Justice Yahya said the NAB would have to implement the Supreme Court's recent order.

"If the NAB has objected to the recent SC order then it should file a review petition."

The NAB special prosecutor Imran-ul-Haq stated that the bureau was happy with the Supreme Court's decision to hold trial on a daily basis.

The bench sought reason from the accountability court for delay in trial.

The court should be informed when the statements of 38 witnesses would be recorded. The court is also apprised of why delay is caused in the trial.

The accountability court, Lahore is directed to submit a report on the third week of November.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020