Supreme Court issues notice to top officials in US blogger’s case

Top court says Malik’s appeal would be disposed of if it lacked substance

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the advocate general and prosecutor general Islamabad on an appeal by former interior minister Rehman Malik against the orders of registration of a case over rape allegations hurled by US blogger Cynthia Dawn Ritchie.

Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had referred the matter of registration of an FIR against the PPP leader in the rape case to the Justice of Peace for review.

During the hearing, Cynthia’s lawyer appeared before the court without any notice. The case was heard by a three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Mushir Alam.

Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin remarked that the court had issued notices to advocate general and prosecutor general Islamabad and added that Malik’s appeal would be disposed of if it lacked substance. He said relief will only be given if the case meets its merits.

The court observed that the high court had used its constitutional right and ordered the registration of a case and that it was the duty of police to register a case and investigate as soon as they receive information about a crime.

The court further noted that only the investigation would reveal whether the US blogger’s allegations are true or not.

Malik’s counsel Sardar Latif Khosa replied that the IHC had disobeyed the top court’s order and noted that the Justice of Peace had rejected the application for the registration of a case against his client after reviewing the evidence.

He said the police had registered a report about the incident and rejected Cynthia’s application after probe. “The police also said that Cynthia does not have evidence,” he said. Justice Amin asked how the police could investigate without registering a case.

 After hearing arguments of Malik’s counsel, the court adjourned the case hearing until September 30.