LHC finds 'lapses' in prosecution case against Sanaullah.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has found visible "lapses in the prosecution case" filed by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) against PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, according to a detailed verdict of the case released on Thursday.

The LHC has ruled that the "guilt of the petitioner (Sanaullah) needs further probe and his case calls for further inquiry".

Almost six months after his arrest in July, Sanaullah had been granted bail on Tuesday by the LHC. He was released by jail authorities today after the submission of two surety bonds worth Rs1 million each.

Key points:

LHC finds lapses in prosecution case

No recovery memo prepared on site

Explanation for not conducting on-site proceedings not plausible

Sample parcel of only 20 grammes heroin sent to chemical examiner

Investigating officer made no request for physical remand

Political victimisation an "open secret" in country

Justice Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmad, who authored the verdict, wrote:

Lapses in the prosecution case noted above are visible on surface of record like non-preparation of recovery memos at the place of recovery, non-investigation regarding involvement of petitioner in running a network of smuggling of narcotics and sending only 20 grams of contraband out of the total quantity of 15 kilograms heroin allegedly recovered from possession of petitioner do indicate prima facie that guilt of the petitioner needs further probe and his case calls for further inquiry.

Additionally, the judge noted that other co-accused in the case were granted post-arrest bail by the trial court, an order which was not appealed by the prosecution.

In its written order, the LHC also disposed of the ANF's special prosecutor's objections to the maintainability of the petition.

The judge recounted the events of the PML-N Punjab president's arrest based on the contents of the First Information Report (FIR) and other material available on the record.

As per the written order, the 21-member raiding party was constituted after receiving information about the arrival of Sanaullah at Ravi Toll Plaza in Lahore. Sanaullah, along with his gunmen (five in number), were stopped at the toll plaza and all of them were disarmed by the raiding party.

Most strikingly, the LHC in its order said that at the place of recovery, no recovery memo regarding the allegedly recovered narcotics was prepared , rather the accused and the case property was taken to the police station where the necessary documentation was carried out.

"It is...