Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has extended the bail granted to Sindh Police’s former AIG Logistics and Finance till June 19 in a case pertaining to the embezzlement of Rs 50 million of funds released for paying off fuel charges and making special security arrangements for Muharram.

A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh expressed displeasure over the absence of the applicant’s counsel and warned that if he remained absent on the next hearing, their bail applications would be cancelled.

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 an inquiry launched against them by the NAB for allegedly embezzling 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, of 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 Filling 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Rs 30 million was withdrawn in the name of M/s Standard Services Station, whereas Rs 20 million in the name of M/s Quick Filling Station.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 Rs 30 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While another cheque for Rs 20 million was withdrawn in the name of M/s Quick Filling Station.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 a plea bargain.

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