Cleric’s bail approved in threats to Justice Isa case

IHC asks Maulvi Iftikhar to deposit Rs1 million surety bonds

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday approved Maulvi Iftikhar uddin Mirza's bail in the threats to Justice Isa case and said the court was doing so "to ensure a fair trial".

The high court approved Mirza's bail, asking him to deposit Rs1 million surety bonds. A two-member bench of the court, comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amir Farooq was hearing the case.

"Do you know what the suspect has said about the judge and the judiciary?" asked Justice Athar Minallah.

"The suspect has apologised for his words," responded Mirza's lawyer.

"The contempt of court case is with the Supreme Court, we are just deciding about the bail,"

said the IHC chief justice. "This matter pertains to maligning the entire judiciary," he added.

The suspect's lawyer responded by stating that his client had neither uploaded nor ensured that the video went viral.

The deputy attorney general informed the court that the suspect was nominated in a case that included provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act, defamation and others.

"We are accepting his bail to ensure a fair trial," said the court.

On June 25, CJP Gulzar Ahmed had taken notice of a video clip containing derogatory and scandalous language against Justice Faez Isa.

In the viral video, Mirza was seen giving threats to the Supreme Court judge.

The video contained derogatory, contemptuous and scandalous language against the institution.