ISLAMABAD: Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka on Thursday granted interim bail until Oct 20 to a co-suspect in a case pertaining to the alleged suicide of a 20-year-old student, who was allegedly defrauded of millions.
Laiba Ijaz, a student at International Islamic University, is said to have been defrauded of Rs5 million, which she had paid to move to the United States for further studies. An agent is said to have handed her the travel documents that were later found to be fake.
The main suspect in the case has been arrested and remanded in police custody.
On Thursday, a co-suspect, linked to the forgery, was granted bail against surety bonds worth Rs20,000.
The co-suspect appeared before the court along with his counsel, who argued that his client was innocent and had been “deliberately” implicated in the case.
After hearing the initial arguments, the court granted interim relief to the co-suspect and sought responses from the relevant parties before proceeding further on the matter of the bail.
The court issued notices to the parties, directing them to present their arguments at the next hearing on Oct 20.
A case following Ijaz’s death was registered at Ramna Police Station under Sections 322 (unintentional murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
A separate case was registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a complaint filed by Ijaz’s maternal uncle under provisions relating to cheating, abetment and immigration-related fraud.
According to the FIA, the main suspect allegedly obtained millions of rupees from Ijaz’s family with the help of a female accomplice and by misrepresenting his identity and professional status.
The money was allegedly taken on the pretext of securing employment for her brother and arranging her admission to Harvard University in the US. The suspect is accused of giving Ijaz fake travel documents.