SC suspends former registrar’s sentence in NAB reference

The Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended the sentences of former SC registrar Amin Farooqui and Javed Iqbal Bangash in the NAB references, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Former SC registrar Amin Farooqui deposited Rs590 million in the Islamic Investment Bank on profit in 2005. But later the bank was closed down and the NAB filed references against four accused after the deposited money went down with the bank.

A three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard ex-registrar Amin Farooqui and Javed Iqbal Bangash’s appeals against their sentences in the NAB references. 

Farooqui’s lawyer Khawaja Haris told the court that his client had completed eight years of sentence. And as per the law, if a convict completes more than half of his sentence, his remaining sentence could be suspended, he added. 

The lawyer said that there was no proof that Farooqui got direct benefit in the case. He said his client permitted to deposit the money in the Islamic Investment Bank after receiving a note from the cashier.

Justice Munib Akhtar remarked if the former registrar wanted, he could have returned the cashier’s note. It is also a crime, if one does not use one’s authority, the judge added.

Justice Ahsan observed that usually a cashier does not send a note directly to the registrar. 

Lawyer Haris contested that the procedural mistakes could not be regarded as a crime. 

Justice Ahsan remarked that usually a comparison of banks was made before depositing money but in this case, no comparison had been made. He inquired if there were proofs at that time that everybody knew that the Islamic Bank was getting down. 

Justice Akhtar remarked that the court had ordered to save the money but it did not order to deposit it for profit.

After that, the court adjourned the case till indefinite time.

Reporter Amanat Gishkori