Court issues notices to jail officials for not producing Hamza

LAHORE:

An accountability court has issued contempt of court notices to Punjab IG prisons, CCPO Lahore and SP Headquarters for not producing Hamza Shehbaz before the court in the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference.

Judge Amjad Nazir Chaudhry heard the mills’ reference.

At the outset of the proceedings, the court was apprised that Hamza could not be produced as he refused to sit in the armored vehicle, which irked the court.

The prison officials adopted the stance that when the court says, the accused will be presented.

An irked judge remarked that had they ever asked the court before presenting an accused.

The court sought a written explanation from the jail authorities for not producing Hamza.

The deputy jail superintendent submitted a written reply to the court, stating that Hamza was handed over to the judicial authorities at 8:25am.

“The accused refused to come to the court after seeing the armored vehicle.”

The judge inquired whether it was up to the accused to appear before the court or not.

The court remarked that now the accused would have to choose in which vehicle he would go and which vehicle he would not.

“Hundreds of accused appear in the courts every day. Do they also demand the car of their choice?” the judge remarked. “This is a failure of the state. Is it helpless in front of the accused?”

The judge further remarked that the court would issue an order in accordance with the law.

The court reserved its decision on the written reply of the jail authorities.

Later, the court issued notices to the Punjab government, IG prisons, CCPO Lahore, SP Headquarters for contempt of court.

The court directed the accused to appear in person on November 10.

The court wrote in the order that action would be initiated against all the persons under section 16B.

The court remarked that it was the responsibility of the government and the police to produce the accused.

The court ruled that this was a serious issue and that the conduct of the accused was a threat to the judicial system.

“Show-cause notice is issued to the IG prisons and jail superintendent and CCPO Lahore. Why not take legal action for violation of court orders.”

Earlier, the court summoned the witnesses to record their statements at the next hearing and adjourned the case till November 10.

The court has exempted Shehbaz Sharif from attendance in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

In the reference, NAB alleges that Shehbaz, Suleman and Hamza used government resources to benefit their privately owned sugar mills.