Nandipur case: AC defers its verdict on Babar Awan’s acquittal plea

An accountability court (AC) on Tuesday once again deferred the announcement of its reserved verdict on acquittal plea filed by former law minister Dr Babar Awan in Nandipur Power Project reference.

The court on Friday had reserved its verdict and was set to announce it today (April 30).

As soon as the hearing underwent today, the AC Judge, Arshad Malik said, the pleas of acquittal filed by other accused in the reference are also under the trial in the court.

“The court will announce its verdict after hearing all the pleas”, he remarked.

The court later adjourned the hearing into the case until May 6.

It may be recalled that the NAB court earlier, had reserved the verdict in the case twice but deferred the announcement of its reserved verdict on acquittal plea filed by former law minister Dr Babar Awan.

The Nandipur reference

The National Accountability Bureau in the reference, contended that the project had faced a delay of two years, one month and 15 days, resulting in a loss of Rs 27.3 billion to the national exchequer.

The power plant project, located in Gujranwala district of Punjab, could not be completed and operated on time because the accused failed to issue legal opinions.