LHC directs NAB to file reference for closing Chaudhry Sugar Mills case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has issued a detailed written verdict on the petition seeking the return of funds submitted by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as a guarantee in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

A three-member full bench, led by Chief Justice Alia Neelum, delivered the eight-page judgment. The court noted that the petitioner requested the return of Rs 7 crore deposited with the Deputy Registrar Judicial as a guarantee. According to NAB, Maryam Nawaz’s inquiry was upgraded to an investigation in 2020, which later concluded with no evidence of corruption in the case.

The judgment stated that under the NAB Amendment Act, the investigative officer had closed the investigation, but filing a report in court is necessary for formal case closure. The Supreme Court has clarified that the NAB Chairman cannot independently close investigations without judicial approval, as the authority to do so rests solely with the courts.

During proceedings, NAB’s counsel acknowledged that the new Executive Board could order reopening a closed investigation. Following this, the Lahore High Court directed NAB to approach the Accountability Court within one week to file a reference for closure of the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case, and instructed the court to decide within one month. The petition was disposed of along with several additional directives.