Col Inam can be released if he allows access to laptop, surrenders passport, SC told

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday agreed to release Advocate Col (retd) Inamur Rahim if he surrenders his passport and share his laptop’s password, The News reported Thursday.

The offer came as a three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mushir Alam, heard an appeal filed by the ministry against the order of the Lahore High Court declaring the detention of the retired military officer as illegal and unlawful.

During the course of the hearing, Attorney General Capt (retd) Anwar Mansoor Khan informed the court that Rahim was unwell and had been taken to the hospital multiple times during his detention.

Read more: Detention of missing persons activist Inamur Rahim 'illegal': LHC

“The AG submitted before the court that the government is ready to release the detainee on the condition if his counsel agrees to surrender his passport and share his laptop's password with the ministry,” the publication said.

Khan further stated that Col (retd) Inamul Rahim will also be required to avoid travelling outside the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad besides ensuring cooperation in the ongoing investigation.

Rahim's counsel reminded the court that Rahim had been under detention for more than a month. He, however, agreed to the conditions put forth by the Ministry of Defence.

Also read: Missing persons activist Inamur Rahim in state custody, admits government

Subsequently, the court directed Rahim's counsel to surrender his passport and to cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

The court further ruled that the appeal filed by the federal government and the Ministry of Defence challenging the order of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench will be heard on merit, and subsequently adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

Col Inam a 'spy'

In previous hearing on January 14, the attorney general had told the apex court that the lawyer was a spy and he was being investigated for "leaking information" about sensitive organisations. 

He said the accused was running a network and many people have already been arrested. 

The 'abduction' of a former colonel

Retired colonel Rahim, according to his son Husnain Inam, was picked up form his home in the Askari 14 housing scheme of Rawalpindi late at night on December 16 by unidentified men.

Husnain had said that around eight to 10 persons picked up his father from their house. "They gained entry into our house by claiming to be my friends at the door; at that, my mother opened the door."

"These people were armed. They forcibly entered my parents' bedroom and woke up my father before taking him along with them," Husnain had told media.

According to the son, his father was whisked away in a car with black mirrors, while another vehicle with black mirrors followed behind. 

Originally published in www.thenews.com.pk