Legal Proceedings Over Missing Deputy Director
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved its verdict in a petition concerning the recovery of Muhammad Usman, a deputy director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The case was heard by a single bench consisting of Justice Muhammad Azam Khan. The petitioner, Rozina Usman, is seeking the recovery of her husband, who went missing on October 14.
During the hearing, the DSP Legal, Sajid Cheema, informed the court that Muhammad Usman had been arrested in Lahore in connection with a corruption case. The court then reserved its judgment following this update.
Details of the Case
According to the DSP Legal, a corruption case has been registered against Usman. He is currently under physical remand, and a statement under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been recorded. Usman reportedly stated in his written statement that he had gone into hiding due to an ongoing inquiry.
Cheema further mentioned that Usman is accused of accepting a bribe of 15 crore from a TikToker. The statement under Section 161 also indicated that Usman had chosen to remain in hiding. Based on these details, the DSP Legal requested the court to dispose of the recovery case.
Petitioner’s Counsel Challenges the Request
However, the petitioner’s counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, argued that it is not straightforward to dismiss the petition. He pointed out that Usman has been missing for 15 days, and when the court ordered his recovery, an FIR was registered against him, leading to his production in Lahore. Abbasi requested the court to issue an order for Usman to be brought before the High Court and to summon the Director General of the FIA in a personal capacity.
Justice Azam Khan questioned how Usman could be summoned now, given that an FIR had already been registered and that Usman is currently on physical remand. The judge also noted that Usman is a resident of Lahore, raising further questions about the legal procedures involved.
Ongoing Legal Process
The court’s decision to reserve its verdict indicates that the matter is still under consideration. The case highlights the complexities of legal proceedings involving public officials and the challenges faced by families in such situations.
The legal team representing the petitioner continues to push for transparency and accountability. They argue that the court must ensure that all legal procedures are followed correctly and that the rights of the individual are protected.
Key Points from the Hearing
- The Islamabad High Court has reserved its verdict in the petition seeking the recovery of Muhammad Usman.
- The DSP Legal informed the court that Usman has been arrested in Lahore in a corruption case.
- A statement under Section 161 has been recorded, in which Usman claimed he went into hiding due to an inquiry.
- The petitioner’s counsel argues that the case should not be dismissed easily and requests the court to take further action.
- Justice Azam Khan raised concerns about the legal procedures involved in summoning Usman at this stage.
- The court is expected to provide a detailed judgment in the coming days.