Peshawar wheat scandal case, three accused sentenced to 7 years in prison and fine

PESHAWAR: In Peshawar, the Anti-Corruption Court Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sentenced three accused to seven years in prison and a total fine of Rs 3 million in the government wheat scandal case. Judge Asif Rashid heard the case.

The court also ordered the accused to recover the loss of crores of rupees caused to the national treasury.

According to the prosecution, more than 3,000 sacks of wheat were missing from the Azakhel wheat storage, resulting in a loss of more than Rs 190 million to the national treasury.

The court found storage officer Muhammad Arshad, assistant food controller Khalid Khan and former employee Taha Muhammad guilty and sentenced them. Talha Muhammad was also sentenced to 7 years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 million.

The court made it clear in its decision that in case of non-payment of the fine, the accused will have to serve an additional six months in prison. On the other hand, two food inspectors named in the case were acquitted on the basis of insufficient evidence.

The prosecution further said that one of the six accused named in the case is still absconding, and efforts are underway to arrest him. This decision of the court is being described as a significant step forward against corruption.