KARACHI: MCB Bank Ltd has filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC), seeking disposal of an interim bail application of its former president Hussain Lawai and Haji Abdul Razzak, chairman ARY Group, in a high-profile criminal case, a copy of the petition said. Both Lawai and Razzak have been accused of embezzlement and fraudulent remittance of $10 million.MCB has also asked the court to ensure their presence for lawful investigation and a fair trial. The petition also prayed that the judge special court (offences in respect of banks), Sindh may be directed to ensure that the two accused should be interrogated.It requested that the FIA investigation officer, after completing the probe, re-submit the final challan and charge-sheet for trial.According to the petition, during 1996/97, while abusing his powers as president of the MCB Bank, Lawai embezzled and fraudulently remitted $10 million to Haji Abdul Razzak in three transactions of $3 million, $2 million and $5 million against which FIRs were lodged against the accused with the FIA.As the accused escaped from Pakistan, both were declared absconders and fugitives of law and the special judge issued their non-bailable warrants. The FIA was also ordered to take assistance of Interpol for their arrest, the petition said.The trial was eventually closed as both the accused unlawfully availed the benefit of National Reconciliation Ordinance 2007.However, the trial was revived again before the special court. The petition said that the influential status of the accused should not block justice.



Courtesy : The News