ISLAMABAD, Sep 08 (NNI): An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday sent former chief minister Parvez Elahi on 14-day judicial remand to Adiala Jail in the case of March 18 riots outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC).
Elahi was presented before ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain. Sardar Abdur Razzaq, Babar Awan and Ali Bukhari appeared as counsel for the ex-chief minister while Prosecutor Tahir Kazim was also present.
The prosecutor requested the court to extend physical remand for another 10 days while Elahi’s lawyers reiterated their plea to discharge him from the case.
Rejecting both pleas, the judge sent Elahi to Adiala Jail and ordered police to produce him before the court on Sept 22. The judge also directed the investigation officer to furnish a report on the matter.
It may be recalled that Elahi was presented before the ATC on Wednesday and police sought his 14-day physical remand. However, the court granted the police two-day physical remand.
At the outset of the hearing today, the prosecutor urged the court to extend Elahi’s physical remand for another 10 days, at which Judge Hasnat inquired about the remands granted earlier.
The prosecutor informed the court that a two-day physical remand was granted.
Elahi’s consel Razzaq told the judge that his client was not named in the FIR registered on March 18 incidents.
Noting that the FIR had been registered against “PTI members”, he claimed his client was not a part of the PTI when the clashes took place and that he “joined the PTI in April” while the FIR was registered in March.
He said a “high court had said that a case was made against Parvez Elahi” and ordered his release but the Gujranwala police arrested him, following which a judicial magistrate had ordered his release.
Retelling the events of the day, the lawyer alleged Elahi was re-arrested by the Islamabad police. He said police had not received any detention order at that time and the DC issued the order later.
“Parvez Elahi was abducted and detained in the Police Lines. He was arrested from my car within Police Lines premises,” Razzaq said, submitting the LHC and IHC orders to the ATC. NNI
