A Karachi court has ruled that alleged drug suspect Anmol alias Pinky does not need to appear in person at the current challan stage because of security concerns. The court directed prison authorities to produce her whenever required and noted that video link arrangements are available.

KARACHI: A Karachi court on Wednesday directed prison authorities to produce alleged drug baroness Anmol alias Pinky before the court whenever required, while ruling that her personal appearance was not needed at the present stage of proceedings.

The order was passed in cases lodged against Anmol at the Garden police station, including matters related to alleged possession of narcotics and an unlicensed weapon. The court was hearing an application seeking her appearance through a video link on security grounds.

The request had been moved on Monday by the senior superintendent of the Central Prison for Women, when Anmol was due to appear before the court in person in two cases. According to the application, the suspect is an undertrial prisoner at the women’s prison and permission was sought for her to attend proceedings through video link because of security concerns.

Judicial magistrate Sitara Kainat, in the order seen by Dawn, said:”Since there is no need [for the] physical appearance of the accused at the challan stage due to security risk[s], […] the jail superintendent shall be directed to produce custody whenever the court requires,”

Security concerns cited

In the application, the jail superintendent told the court that moving the suspect from prison to the City Courts complex posed a significant security risk because of her high-profile status. The application said such movement could endanger the general public, law enforcement personnel and the suspect herself.

The prison administration also informed the court that arrangements for a video link were available and would be ensured if directed by the court.

Arrest and related cases

Anmol was arrested last month in connection with two Garden police station cases concerning alleged possession of drugs and an illegal weapon. Authorities said she was detained from her apartment in the Garden area during a joint raid conducted by police and a civilian intelligence agency.

She had already been booked in several other criminal cases before her latest arrest. Her case drew wider public attention after a video circulated on social media showing her being taken to court without handcuffs.