Justice KK Agha of the Sindh High Court recused himself on Monday from hearing the bail pleas of Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Shaikh in the cases against him pertaining to violence and vandalism during Malir’s PS-88 by-polls and interference in government affairs.
Haleem has contended in the plea that he was arrested on February 16 but the police have yet to submit a challan against him before the trial court.
The plea was brought forth before a two-member bench comprising Justice Agha and Justice Abdul Mobeen Lakho.
After Justice Agha’s recusal, the court forwarded the case to SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh so a new bench could be constituted and adjourned the hearing till March 25.
Read more: Haleem’s bail plea hearing adjourned sans proceedings
Absent judge
Separately, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned the hearing of the cases against Haleem and others accused with him due to the absence of the judge.
Jail officials produced Haleem while the other accused, including Sameer Shaikh, also appeared before the court.
The next hearing is slated for April 7.
According to police, the cases against Haleem and others were lodged at Memon Goth Police Station on charges of vandalising and attacking the police during an anti-encroachment operation and during the PS-88 by-polls.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media after his appearance before the ATC at Karachi Central Jail, Haleem claimed that the opposition was all ‘NAB-stricken’.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement’s announcement pertaining to March 26 was ridiculous, according to Haleem, who claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mariam Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman were going to attack the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
All of them are NAB-stricken, said Haleem, adding that the Maulana better take his receipts along.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker decried that he was not allowed to cast his vote in the PS-88 by-election.
The Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government wanted the opposition leader, judiciary and election commissioner to all bend to its will.
Children are mauled by stray dogs every other day but the government becomes ‘anti-judge’ when he rules against them, said the opposition leader, referring to the recent suspension of PPP MPAs Faryal Talpur and Malik Asad Sikandar from the provincial assembly by the SHC Sukkur bench.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2021.
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ