Imran’s acquittal in SSP torture case challenged

Islamabad’s advocate general contends PTI chief is among prime accused

ISLAMABAD:  

Islamabad’s Advocate General Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri on Wednesday challenged an anti-terrorism court (ATC)’s acquittal of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the torture case of a senior police officer during the 2014 sit-in.

In the petition, the AG said that PTI chairman is among the prime accused in the torture case of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Asmatullah Junejo during the police operation to push back protesters during the 2014 sit-in organised by Imran and Dr Tahirul Qadri.

Jahangiri filed the petition on behalf of the state in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The petition states that the impugned judgment was passed without keeping all evidence in consideration.

The petition also alleges that PTI chief’s involvement in the incident is obvious yet the court did not consider that while passing the judgment.  It alleged that the judge did not take the gravity of the offence and its importance in consideration while handing down the verdict.

Jahangiri maintained that the ATC has not exercised its jurisdiction judiciously and the reasons for acquittal are not in accordance with law and the “court below has exercised its jurisdiction illegally and un-lawfully.”  He added that there was sufficient documentary as well as visual evidence available on record to connect the accused with the commission of offence.



The petition read that the impugned order is not sustainable in the eyes of law and is liable to be set aside. He has prayed the court to set aside the order of May 4 in the best interest of justice.

On May 4, ATC acquitted Imran in the SSP Junejo attack case, filed after the 2014 sit-in. Judge Arjumand had simply announced “You are discharged from the case” to which Imran replied “Thank you,” and walked out of the courtroom.



On September 1, 2014, hundreds of men allegedly protesters from the PTI and PAT camps ransacked the PTV office, parliament premises and brutally beat up Junejo. Imran, PAT chief Tahirul Qadri and several others were booked for their alleged involvement in the attacks.