IHC to remain closed on weekends

As the third wave of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) intensifies in the federal capital, Saturday and Sunday were announced as holidays in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and lower courts on Friday. A notification was issued after the approval of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on the recommendation of the Crisis Management Committee read that IHC and the District Courts will be operative from Monday to Friday.

Two weeks ago, the National Command Operation Centre officially declared the third wave of the virus in the country. Owing to this, smart lockdowns were placed in various localities of the city, and restrictions were imposed on business activities while educational institutions were also instructed to close.

Osama Satti case An anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned the hearing in Osama Satti's murder case on Friday. ATC judge Shahrukh Arjumand was presiding over the case. The court summoned the accused who were brought to the court from Adiala Jail under tight security. The challan could not be submitted due to the investigating officer (IO) being ill at which the court directed the IO to present the challan at the next hearing and yet again adjourned the hearing of the case till April 2.

On March 12, ATC had decided to indict the five accused Counter-Terrorism Department personnel on March 26 (yesterday). The hearing was presided over by ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hasan, in which the accused were presented while the police had failed to present the challan of the case.

Motorway police issue unfounded challan, court told

. A unique case has come to light against issuing a challan of Rs300 on the motorway, a spokesperson said on Friday. Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court issued a notice to the Inspector General of Motorway police and others, seeking reply on the petition against the issuance of a challan on Blixar motorway to a citizen of Tilla King.

Advocate Malik Saad bin Safdar appeared on behalf of petitioner Noman Awan and argued that the car had a non-specific number plate in addition to a computerised number plate.

Motorway police issued a challan of Rs300, which could not be issued under the National Highway Safety Ordinance, 2000. There is no law in the ordinance regarding non-specific number plates. Motorway police are not authorised to issue challans, he added.

The court issued a notice and sought a reply from the Motorway police while adjourning the hearing till April 29.

Lawyers asked to recount damage done in CDA operation

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) has declared the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) operation against the lawyers' chambers illegal and sought details of the damages from the lawyers. A letter issued by IHCBA President Raja Zahid Mehmood stated that details should be provided to work out a strategy for compensation by March 29. It is a violation of CDA rules to demolish chambers without giving notice, the president maintained.

As a result of the operation, files were lost, valuables of lawyers were destroyed and no action has been taken so far to bring those responsible to justice, he lamented.

On February 7, the CDA illegally demolished lawyers' chambers, following which a number of lawyers stormed the IHC and District Sessions court.