Top court turns down Talal Chaudhry's plea seeking time to present witness
Hearing adjourned until tomorrow
Talal Chaudhry. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD:
The country’s top court on Wednesday turned down Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Talal Chaudhry's request seeking time to produce more witnesses in the hearing of contempt case against him.
During the hearing of a case pertaining to contemptuous statements made by Chaudhry during a rally in January, the defendant’s counsel presented a list of 17 witnesses and sought time to summon and record statements. Turning down the plea, Justice Gulzar Ahmed observed the trial cannot be stretched further.
When the defence counsel replied that they will “get witnesses”, the judge inquired what the term “get them” meant. “This is a vague statement,” noted Jusitce Ahmed.
“It is impossible to get hold of all witnesses on a short notice. Some are scared to appear before the court to record their statement,” said Chaudhry’s lawyer.
SC indicts Talal Chaudhry in contempt case
Justice Ahmed asked why so many witnesses were needed. “Your witness list includes parliamentarians and lawmakers, what will they do by recording their statement?” he observed and dwelled on the possibility of the witnesses backtracking their statements.
The apex court turned down the request to grant one week’s time and adjourned the hearing until tomorrow [May 24].
On March 15, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court indicted Talal on contempt of court charges.
The country’s top court on Wednesday turned down Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Talal Chaudhry's request seeking time to produce more witnesses in the hearing of contempt case against him.
During the hearing of a case pertaining to contemptuous statements made by Chaudhry during a rally in January, the defendant’s counsel presented a list of 17 witnesses and sought time to summon and record statements. Turning down the plea, Justice Gulzar Ahmed observed the trial cannot be stretched further.
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When the defence counsel replied that they will “get witnesses”, the judge inquired what the term “get them” meant. “This is a vague statement,” noted Jusitce Ahmed.
“It is impossible to get hold of all witnesses on a short notice. Some are scared to appear before the court to record their statement,” said Chaudhry’s lawyer.
SC indicts Talal Chaudhry in contempt case
Justice Ahmed asked why so many witnesses were needed. “Your witness list includes parliamentarians and lawmakers, what will they do by recording their statement?” he observed and dwelled on the possibility of the witnesses backtracking their statements.
The apex court turned down the request to grant one week’s time and adjourned the hearing until tomorrow [May 24].
On March 15, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court indicted Talal on contempt of court charges.