The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday granted bail to former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the Punjab Assembly illegal recruitment case. Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad announced the reserved verdict on the bail petition filed by the former chief minister.
The court had reserved the verdict upon completion of arguments by the parties, a day earlier. Earlier, in his arguments, Elahi’s counsel Advocate Amir Saeed Rawn argued that his client did not have any link with the recruitment. He submitted that his client did not receive any amount for the recruitment from any candidate, adding that the case was registered with a delay of two years. He pleaded with the court to grant bail to his client. However, Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjabs prosecutor opposed the bail petition and submitted that the case was registered in accordance with the law. The ACE Punjab had instituted a case against Parvez Elahi and others on charges of recruiting 12 Grade-17 officers in the Punjab Assembly against merit. The ACE accused Parvez Elahi of unlawful recruitment and kickbacks. Allegedly, qualified candidates were denied positions while those who had not taken exams were appointed. The ACE claimed that, as the then chief minister, Elahi misused his authority by influencing recruitment after receiving bribes.
Moreover, an anti-corruption court on Tuesday once again delayed the indictment of the former chief minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, and others in the Punjab Assembly illegal recruitment case.
The court delayed the indictment due to the absence of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. The authorities submitted a medical certificate for Parvez Elahi, stating that he was sick and undergoing medical tests and that he was also not allowed to travel. At this, Anti-Corruption Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta adjourned further proceedings until June 3 and summoned all accused for indictment on the next date. Jail officials produced accused Muhammad Khan Bhatti, former principal secretary to the chief minister of Punjab, during the proceedings, while other co-accused also appeared and marked their attendance. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab had registered the case, accusing Parvez Elahi of unlawful appointments and kickbacks. Allegedly, qualified candidates were denied positions while those who had not taken exams were appointed. The ACE claimed that, as the then chief minister, Elahi misused his authority by influencing appointments after receiving bribes.
