Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court was informed on Monday that the Sindh Police department’s AIG Logistics and Finance had embezzled Rs 50 million of funds released for paying off fuel charges and making special security arrangements for Muharram.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor informed the bench, on the hearing of bail pleas of the AIG Logistics and Finance, that the NAB had filed a reference against the applicants in the relevant accountability court.

Headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto a division bench was hearing the bail applications of AIG Logistics Tanveer Ahmed Tahir and then AIG Finance, Syed Fida Hussain Shah. It extended their pre-arrest bails until November 21.

The court had earlier granted bail to both police officials against the surety bond of Rs 1 million each. The AIG Logistics and Finance had moved to the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with inquiry launched against them by the NAB for allegedly embezzling the police funds.

According to the NAB reference, the investigation revealed that the provincial finance department had allocated funds of Rs 75 million in 2014-15 for extraordinary duties and security arrangements during Muharram.

It alleged that Syed Fida had sought approval from the Inspector General of Police to incur the fuel and other expenses. Subsequently, Tanveer Ahmed sent five bills, Rs 10 million each, to the Accountant General Sindh for the release of the amount in the names of M/s Standard Services Station and M/s Quick Fillin Station, Race Course Road Sukkur.

Rs 30 million was withdrawn in the name of M/s Standard Services Station, whereas Rs 20 million in the name of M/s Quick Fillin Station.

The reference stated that there was only one fuel station by the name of M/s Standard Services Station located in Block VI of PECHS, Shahrah-e-Faisal. On inquiry, it was found that it had neither issued any bill for payment of Rs 30 million nor it had received any such payment.

The cheque for Rs30 million was deposited into the account of Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) of the central police and Tanveer Ahmed was authorized to exercise the powers of DDO.

While another cheque for Rs20 million was withdrawn in the name of M/s Quick Fillin Station. On inquiry, it was revealed that the cheque was never deposited into the account of the station’s owner. On the contrary, it was deposited into the account of Muhammad Rafique, a constable.

When inquired, the Larkana and Sukkur police denied having issued such a bill or had obtained fuel from the above-mentioned fuel station. During interrogation, the constable admitted the guilt and offered to return the entire amount through plea bargain.

The reference states that it had been established that Rs 50 million was embezzled by the police officers.