Supreme Court grants bail to Anwar Majeed on medical grounds

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail on medical grounds to Omni Group tycoon Anwar Majeed, an accused in a fake bank accounts case, reported 24NewsHD channel.

The court also ordered the accused to submit Rs100 million bank guarantee in this regard in Registrar’s Office. The court also directed for keeping Anwar Majeed’s name on the ECL and ordered the accused to also hand over his passport to the Registrar’s Office.

The court also advised Anwar Majeed to cooperate with NAB authorities otherwise his bail would be cancelled. 

During the proceedings, the apex court also rejected a request from the NAB prosecutor to set up a medical board before granting bail to Anwar Majeed.

NAB prosecutor Imranul Haq informed the court that since his arrest Anwar Majeed is in hospital and has never appeared before the NAB. Due to his non-cooperation, 15 inquiries and four references are facing delay.

The NAB prosecutor argued that since his arrest Anwar Majeed has been under treatment at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), which is the best hospital in Pakistan.

He said there were 15 inquiries and four references against Anwar Majeed who is accused of committing over Rs4 billion corruption.

Justice Qazi Amin said Anwar Majeed is facing a serious heart problem and it is his fundamental right to get medical treatment but he will not be allowed to go abroad.

The NAB prosecutor was of the view that Anwar Majeed is seeking bail on the basis of old medical reports. Upon which Anwar Majeed’s counsel Munir A Malik interfered saying they were seeking bail on new grounds.

Munir A Akram further said that former president and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had been granted bail for Rs10 million. In response, Justice Qazi Amin said “Don’t talk about Asif Ali Zardari.”

Earlier Justice Qazi Amin remarked that a two-member apex court bench can hear a plea for bail about which the NAB prosecutor was insisting that the two-judge bench cannot hear such a case.

Munir A Malik said they had moved for bail on medical grounds as his client was facing multiple diseases. There was a threat to the life of his client if he underwent surgery in Pakistan, he added.

Munir A Malik further argued that the co-accused has been granted bail but Anwar Majeed has been in jail for two years. 

Justice Qazi Amin said that a sick person should get bail but he should remain in the country for medical treatment.

The apex court judge further remarked that there was a sharp contrast in NAB’s treatment of the political accused and the non-political accused. 

“The NAB should not do that. It should treat the political accused the same say it treats non-political accused,” Justice Mushir Alam said.