SC hears bail plea of accused in overseas employment fraud case

ISLAMABAD, Mar 09 (APP):The Supreme Court on Monday heard the bail petition of an accused nominated in a case involving alleged fraud for taking money from a citizen on the pretext of sending him abroad, during which the court also engaged in an interesting exchange with the victim.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar heard the case.

During the hearing, Justice Hashim Kakar asked how much money the accused had taken from the complainant. Counsel for the complainant informed the court that the accused had received Rs1.75 million.

Justice Hashim Kakar then asked the affected citizen which country he intended to travel to for which he paid the money. The complainant replied that he had paid the amount to go to Greece. At this, Justice Hashim Kakar remarked that he would have faced hardship there and advised him that, as a young man, it would be better to work and earn a living in his own country. He also observed that many people lost their lives while attempting to travel abroad through dangerous boat journeys.

The court further asked whether the accused had sent the complainant abroad after receiving the money. The complainant’s counsel replied that neither had the complainant been sent abroad nor had the money been returned. The lawyer added that the cheques issued by the accused had also bounced and separate cases regarding the dishonoured cheques had already been registered.

Counsel for the accused requested time to prepare the case. At this point, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim remarked that the matter would be decided before Eid, adding that if the accused was entitled to bail, it would be granted; otherwise, it would not.

Later, the court adjourned further hearing of the case until next Monday.