Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The CJP was presiding over a three-member bench in the SC's Karachi Registry which heard the suo motu case. As the hearing started, the CJP asked Dr Imran Shah to step forward as he intended to have a word with him. He asked the lawmaker what compelled him to assault a citizen as even animals were not treated this way. The CJP also remarked that it was an unforgivable crime as he was a public representative, adding that he would step out and called Dr Shah to try to mete out the same treatment to him. To this, Dr Shah apologised and said he was ashamed of his conduct.
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The CJP then turned to the victim, Dawood Chauhan, and asked him why he forgave him and accepted the money. Chauhan replied that the then MPA-elect had come to his house himself.
The CJP then asked Dr Shah how many times he had slapped Chouhan, to which the accused replied around three or four times. CJP Nisar remarked that Dr Shah should be slapped in public the same number of times.
The CJP remarked he may be a 'Shah' somewhere, but that this was the Supreme Court. He asked Dr Shah what he thought should be done with him and ordered him to take his hands out of his pockets, correct his posture and learn to respect the court.
Dr Shah said he had committed the act in a fit of rage after expletives were used for his mother and father. The CJP replied that he should've at least considered the victim's age, adding that he will be charged under Article 62-F.
Dr Shah constantly kept apolgising, but the CJP was none of it. He remarked that no apologies would be accepted and that he should face a trial and learn to respect people. The CJP ordered Dr Shah to publicly apologise to Chauhan and hug him, to which the accused obliged immediately.
Chauhan said he was accused of taking money. His son said that public representatives made fun of his family on social media and that the PTI's social media ran a smear campaign against them. At this point, Chauhan teared up inside the courtroom.
The CJP remarked that he didn't do anyone any favours by taking a suo moto notice of the incident. These kinds of people must be straightened out, he said.
Chauhan then told the court he forgave Dr Shah in the name of Allah.
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Wrapping up the suo motu case, the court banned Dr Shah from traveling in a luxury vehicle for up to one year. The CJP remarked that he should learn to travel like the rest and asked him if he could live without a luxury vehicle. Dr Shah said he would oblige. The CJP ordered Dr Shah to donate Rs3 million to the dam funds and closed the matter after Dr Shah's apology.
The incident
A video of Dr Shah assaulting a citizen on August 14 had sparked outrage on social media after it went viral.
Shah was caught on video slapping Dawood Chauhan multiple times during a heated argument in the middle of a road. The video showed Shah accompanied by armed guards, who also threatened the man.
Earlier, the PTI Karachi's disciplinary committee had ordered Dr Shah to donate Rs500,000 as a 'fine' to the Edhi Homes Orphanage Centres and also provide free medical treatment to 20 orthopaedic patients recommended by the Edhi Trust.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2018.
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