ISLAMABAD: Accountability Judge Mohammad Bashir on Friday handed over custody of three suspects including a serving Capital Development Authority (CDA) official to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with the Diplomatic Shuttle Service (DSS) case.

The three suspects are former CDA member planning retired Brig Nusratullah, the contractor for the service Mohammad Hussain and CDA director general Ghulam Sarwar Sandhu.

Mr Nusrat was a serving brigadier when he was appointed member planning during the Musharraf regime, while Mr Sandhu was promoted from deputy directorto directorgeneralin the same era. He was later demoted pursuant to a court order, which was stayed.

According to the grounds for arrestof the accused, NAB alleged that on Nov 21, 2007, they `proposed Mohammad Hussain may be allowed to develop the siteforvisa seekers on Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis for five years. When no tendering process/open competition had been taken place` The suspects are facing charges of granting Mr Hussain permission to develop and operate afacilityforvisa applicants and reduced the annual ground rent from Rs100 per square yard per annum to Rs2 per square yard per annum.

NAB has alleged that Mr Nusrat approved the draft advertisement published on March 19, 2008, that included just two prequalification provisions that were in favour of Mr Hussain.

However advocate Waheed Akhtar, Mr Nusrat`s counsel, pointed out that his client retired on April 14 and the contract was scrutinised and awarded to Mr Hussain after Mr Nusrat`s retirement.Although NAB had requested a 14-day physical remand, Judge Bashir granted a five-day physical remand with directions to complete interrogations by wednesday.

The shuttle service contract was initially awarded for the 2007 to 2010 period, but was later extended to 2017. It was awarded by the CDA`s planning wing even though it was the sole prerogative of the Directorate of Municipal Administration.

The bureau initiated an inquiry into alleged irregularities and favouritism in the award in May 2012.

CDA reportedly leased 36 1(anals of land, worth billions of rupees, on 3rd Avenue close to the Diplomatic Enclave to the firm running the shuttle service at the rate of Rs2 per square yard per year.

The service was first launched in 2005, when the entry of vehicles to the enclave was restricted and visa applicants were forced to travel to the embassies and missions inside on foot.