Blocking accounts in NAB inquiries under Section 23 declared illegal by IHC
Last updated on: 23 January,2021 08:35 pm
Blocking accounts in NAB inquiries under sec. 23 declared illegal by IHC
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared blocking accounts under section 23 in inquiries of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) illegal.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday announced its order against blocking the bank accounts of alleged offenders under section 23.
The court said that if NAB intends to freeze assets on an inquiry, it should be ordered under section 12. According to the law, NAB should complete the inquiry and investigation swiftly but in reality it takes many years, the order said.
According to the decision issued by the Islamabad High Court, blocking bank accounts for years on mere allegations and depriving someone of drawing funds from their account because of the investigation agency’s delays is a violation of fundamental constitutional rights.
If it is the state’s responsibility to punish a culprit, it is also necessary to give citizens the right to use their money, it added.