KARACHI: A Karachi court on Wednesday directed authorities to produce alleged drug baroness Anmol alias Pinky in court when required, adding that she did not need to appear in person at the current stage in proceedings.
The order was issued in cases registered against Anmol at Karachi’s Garden police station and on an application seeking the appearance of the suspected cocaine dealer before the court via video link due to security concerns.
The application was filed by the senior superintendent of the Central Prison for Women on Monday, when Anmol was scheduled to appear in person before the court in two cases, including those relating to the possession of drugs and an illegal weapon.
“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,” Judicial Magistrate (South) Sitara Kainat stated in the order, seen by Dawn.
In the application filed on Monday, the jail superintendent had informed the court that the suspect, who is an undertrial prisoner at the women’s prison, had sought permission for the suspect to appear via video link due to security concerns. She was scheduled to appear in court in two cases on Monday.
The application further stated that, owing to the suspect’s high-profile status, her physical movement from the prison to the City Courts premises posed a “significant security risk” to the general public, law enforcement personnel and the suspect herself.
The jail superintendent also informed the court that the necessary video link arrangements were available and would be ensured by the prison administration upon the court’s direction.
Anmol was arrested last month in connection with two cases registered at the Garden police station pertaining to the possession of drugs and an unlicensed weapon. She had already been booked in multiple other criminal cases prior to her arrest.
Authorities said she was arrested from her Garden apartment in a joint raid conducted by police and a civilian intelligence agency in connection with two cases pertaining to the possession of narcotics and an unlicenced weapon.
The incident gained attention when a video of her being escorted to court without handcuffs went viral on social media.
Since her arrest, Anmol has been presented in court amid heavy police presence. During her court appearances, she has also alleged that she has been facing pressure from the police “to take names” of politicians and other influential persons.
On May 19, Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho addressed the strict security present with Anmol during her court appearances.
Speaking to the media at an event held at the Karachi Chambers of Commerce, he said police were keeping several “risks” in mind.
“The nature of her business is such that there is a risk of many names emerging. One risk is that someone can harm her, so [investigations] do not proceed ahead,” he said.
