Daily Times

KARACHI: Former Sindh minister for information Sharjeel Inam Memon has been given half a chance to surrender before the trial court to face corruption charges as the Sindh High Court on Wednesday granted him protective bail till January 31.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Farooq Shah had approved bail for the PPP leader in two corruption cases against a surety amount of Rs 1million for each case. It warned him that the amount of surety shall be automatically forfeited if he fails to surrender before the trial court within the stipulated period – with the order expiring on Jan 31.

The judges also made it clear that no further extension shall be allowed in the future except in exceptional circumstances. In the petitioner’s absence, the trial court may proceed with its usual proceedings in the references notwithstanding the petitioner’s absence, including, if need be, declaring him as a proclaimed offender and thereafter separating his case from the trail, the court ruled.

The PPP leader, who is living in self-exile in Dubai, faces two corruption charges relating to the alleged award of advertisements at exorbitant rates and illegal adjustment and consolidation of hundreds of acres of land in favour of a private housing project.

Memon, through his counsel, had approached the court seeking an extension for his protective bail.

Faiz Shah, Memon’s lawyer, stated that the court had earlier extended his client’s bail till December 26 but he could not fly back home due to an ailment. He also informed the judges that Memon wished to surrender before the trial court and face the charges, therefore he requested them to extend his bail.

The court had earlier extended his bail till December 26 subject to the forfeiture of 50 percent of the surety amount deposited for his bail. The court had also increased the surety amount to Rs4million and warned that if he failed to surrender before the trial court within the stipulated time his surety would automatically be forfeited.