Wahab seeks time in passport case

After the Gujarat high court stayed the sessions court order that allowed the passport of former gangster Abdul Wahab to be returned, on Wednesday, Wahab sought time from the high court to hire a lawyer.

Earlier, justice MD Shah had stayed the orders of the sessions court that allowed returning the passport to the former gangster as he had to go on a pilgrimage for one month to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Public prosecutor Prakash Jani said, "On Wednesday Wahab appeared in the court of justice AL Dave and sought time to hire a lawyer for representing his case. Justice Dave adjourned the matter and posted it on June 22 for further hearing in the case."

Wahab is facing three criminal cases, two at Shahpur police station, and one at Gaekwad Haveli police station, and in this case, his passport is with the court. Prior consent of the court is necessary before returning the passport to Wahab.

The state government has challenged the sessions court order in the high court by submitting that the high court should quash the lower court's order, as Wahab is facing three serious offences.
The government also argues that Wahab is not likely to return after completing his pilgrimage.

It is pertinent to note that, four months back, Wahab was granted passport by the city sessions court to go for Haj. 

There were apprehensions that Wahab would not return. The police also tried to detain him but he still managed to go on Haj and returned as per the schedule granted by the court.