ISLAMABAD, July 1: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday stated that money acquired through corrupt practices should be returned, even after death.
The statement comes as the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, during the hearing of a case, asked the family of a late DSP to return embezzled money to the national exchequer.
The chief justice made it clear that the money has to be returned even
if the person involved in corrupt practices has passed away. In his remarks, Justice Khosa added that the fine imposed on the family in 2003 by the high court was far less than the original price of the land. The CJP said that the plot was purchased on a price of Rs 20.5 million 25 years ago which will be worth of Rs 2.5 billion now and declared that fine of Rs 30 million given in 2003 is much less as per today’s time adding that the fined amount can be raised but it cannot be slashed. Seeking reprieve, co-accused in the case and DSP Jameel Akhtar Kiyani’s wife, Mismat Riaz, told the court that she could not pay the fine and argued that the National Accountability Bureau had sealed her bank accounts in 1992. Rejecting the argument, the CJP underscored that the fine could be increased but there is no other option but to pay. Jameel Akhtar was accused of corruption and possessing assets beyond known means of income.-Sabah
