SC postpones indicting Talal Chaudhry in contempt case

Defense Counsel to present arguments tomorrow [March 15]


Hasnaat Mailk March 14, 2018
Talal Chaudhry. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday accepted Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Talal Chaudhry's request, giving him time to present his arguments before framing contempt charges.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan resumed hearing in the ongoing contempt case against state minister for interior.

The request, made by Defense Counsel Kamran Murtaza on behalf of Chaudhry, asked the top court to allow the defendant to make his arguments before indicting him in contempt case.

Murtaza also requested the court to present his arguments tomorrow [March 15] as he had to attend the funeral of one lawyer’s father today. Following which, the bench decided to adjourn the hearing until tomorrow.

Contempt case: SC decides to frame charges against Talal Chaudhry on March 14


On March 8, the top court had decided to frame contempt charges against Chaudhry.

Defence counsel Kamran Murtaza had claimed that the delay in being given the CD regarding Chaudhry’s alleged contemptuous speeches was the reason they had not been able to view it yet. “We will give a detailed reply after watching it,” Murtaza had told the court.

In reply, Justice Fazal had said that “whatever had to happen has already happened,” adding that they could add to their reply in the next hearing [March 14].

On February 1, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of  Chaudhry’s ‘contemptuous speeches’ against the judiciary.

While addressing a public gathering in Jaranwala, the PML-N stalwart had said: “There was a time when the Kaabah was filled with idols and now the judiciary, the country’s highest institution, is also full of PCO [Provisional Constitution Order] idols.”

He went on to say, “Nawaz Sharif, throw them out, throw him out of the court. They will not give justice but will continue their injustices.”

Despite the unmatched services rendered by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif during his tenure as the prime minister, “they say that somebody else should become the prime minister”, he added.

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