Nizam absent, Naeem gets bail in Omar defamation suit

Early Times Report

SRINAGAR, Oct 20: PDP’s spokesman and former bureaucrat, Naeem Akhtar, was granted bail today in the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Mr B L Bhat, even as his co-respondent and senior party colleague, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, failed to appear in person, reportedly due to his preoccupation with Ladakh Hill Development Council elections.

On behalf of Chief Minister and Chairman of J&K State Power Development Corporation (PDC), Omar Abdullah, Government had filed a criminal complaint against the two PDP leaders on September 29^th, and later a civil suit in the court of Principal District & Sessions Judge Srinagar. Government action against the PDP leaders came after a group of PDP legislators held a press conference in Srinagar on Aug 25^th and leveled allegations that Chief Minister had received kickbacks worth Rs 500 Cr from a private company on account of issuing allotment for construction of 690 mw power project at Rattle in Jammu.

Responding to the bailable warrants issued earlier, Naeem Akhtar appeared in person in the court today. After his counsel assured the court that Akhtar would be available as and when required during hearing of the matter, bail was granted in favour of the accused. Court issued fresh warrants, asking co-accused Nizam-ud-din Bhat to cause his personal presence on the next date of hearing, on December 4^th.

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