GUJRANWALA, April 14: A number of depositors of Sibtul Hasan alias Double Shah have expressed their reservations over the performance and role of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) regarding refund in installments and recovery from his agents or police officials who usurped a heavy amount from the accused’s house during a search operation.

A number of affectees told newsmen on Monday that the police had arrested Double Shah on April 13 last year following his involvement in an alleged dacoity case in Ghakkhar Town and not for any complaint of fraud.

On the other hand, some insiders pointed out that the police officers who raided his residence or other places allegedly seized at least five bags containing Rs10 million each, but the amount was not incorporated in the recovery report. While some senior police officers also got their money doubled in the name of their close relatives just before his arrest. Police also seized Double Shah’s costly vehicles which could not be returned to him so far.

A few days ago, Double Shah apprised the Gujranwala anti-terrorism court during the hearing of the case that the police and NAB had seized his all money, assets and luxury vehicles worth Rs6 billion which were not being returned to him. He had reiterated that he could refund the entire money of the people if he was released.

The accountability bureau had started payment to affectees in installments and made 10 per cent refund. While the people seemed dissatisfied with the refund process and demanded the entire payment in one installment.

Dawn learnt that the NAB had approved claims of about 25,000 affectees, while the people who had deposited their money with agents of the accused could not file their claims. Some of the agents are still at large.

Some days ago, a delegation of Double Shah’s affectees had called on PML-N MNA Iftikhar Ahmad Cheema and sought his help for the refund. The MNA assured the delegation that the party would play an active role for full payment and not in installments.

Meanwhile, the anti-terrorism court No 2 adjourned hearing in the Double Shah case till April 19 as the NAB and police did not produce the accused in the court on Monday.

The Wazirabad investigation officer could not appear in the court and sent a constable to pursue the case. Judge Tariq Iftikhar Ahmad censured the constable and directed the investigation officer to produce Double Shah on next hearing.

DEMO: The PML-N youth wing took out a procession to protest against ‘hooliganism’ of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists and killing of innocent people in Karachi on April 9.