Someone has rightly said, 'Whatever goes around, comes around.' And former Pakistan President and army chief has surely learnt this the wrong way.

Pakistan Court indicted the former military chief on three counts today, over the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf has been charged with "murder, criminal conspiracy for murder and facilitation for murder."

For a country that has been under military dominance for more than half of its existence and where army is still the most powerful institution, the indictment of the former army chief truly comes as a radical change. The offence carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Musharraf , who has been placed on house arrest since April 19, appeared before the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi today for the hearing. He, however, dismissed all indictments pressed against him. The case has been adjourned until August 27.

Contesting the ruling, his lawyer Syeda Afshan Adil said, "These charges are baseless. We are not afraid of the proceedings. We will follow legal procedures in the court."

The indictment kicks off speculations on the strong possibilities of behind-the-scenes deal that would permit Musharraf to leave Pakistan without facing the courts and putting the military to shame.

Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was killed in a gun and bomb attack during election campaign in 2007. No body claimed the responsibility of her murder.

Musharraf's government blamed the assassination on Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who denied any involvement.

(AW: Suchorita Dutta)