PHOTO: FILE
As the hearing of the case commenced at Karachi Central Jail, the investigation officer (IO), SP Altaf Hussain, submitted the case record before the court. However, the defence lawyer raised objections over the record presented by the IO, claiming that it is not original. Despite defence lawyer's reservations, the court recorded petitioner Rangers DSR Inyatullah Durrani's statement in accordance with the case record. At this, the defence lawyer argued that "court proceedings are conducted in accordance with original case records and not copies [as submitted by the IO]."
In response to the defence lawyer's objections, SP Hussain informed the court that the recorded presented in the court was handed over to him by the former IO of the case. Concluding the hearing, the court disregarded the defence lawyer's objections and remarked that the head of the joint investigation team will submit the original case record when he appears before the court.
Besides the petitioner and the IO, four accused in the case, including Dr Asim, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, Pak Sarzameen Party President Anis Kaimkhani and Rauf Siddiqui, appeared before the court. Petitioner's counsel Sajid Mehboob Shaikh was also present at the hearing.
The court adjourned the hearing till November 30.
Hate speech cases
Meanwhile, another ATC adjourned the hearing of four hate speech cases registered against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder, due to the absence of the honourable judge, who is on leave. The hearing was adjourned till November 21. The ATC also adjourned the hearing of 21 hate speech cases registered against MQM leaders, including Farooq Sattar, Rehan Hashmi, Qamar Mansoor, Wasim Akhtar, Rauf Siddiqui and others, who appeared before the court.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2019.
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