Judge writes to IHC for jail trial of Imran, Bushra

Judge Qudratullah approves former first lady’s exemption from appearance request

ISLAMABAD:

Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah on Friday approved Bushra Bibi’s request for exemption from appearance in the wedding during Iddat period case against PTI founder Imran Khan and the former while writing a letter to the Islamabad High Court registrar for a jail trial.

During the hearing, the petitioner's lawyer Rizwan Abbasi appeared before the court, reminding the judge that he had to write a letter to the IHC for a jail trial. “The IHC registrar has to be informed, the accused have to be distributed copies of the challan, and the charge will be framed seven days after the distribution of the copies of the challan. To fulfil the legal requirements, you have to inform the Islamabad High Court.”

The court then went into recess.

As soon as the hearing started again, Bushra’s lawyer Usman Gul appeared in the court, saying that the court had ordered a jail trial. “We sent Bushra Bibi to jail and the bail bonds have been prepared.”

The court said that the accused should be called to the court. “When it is known that there is no trial in the jail, then she should come.”

The lawyer said, “We have credible information that Bushra Bibi’s life will be in danger while coming to the court.”

The judge said there was no rush, the court was also empty, and as the jail authorities were informed, why did they go there.

The court ordered Bushra to appear in court in her personal capacity.

The court again went into recess.

Bushra did not appear in the court even after the hearing began.

Advocate Gul, while filing an exemption from appearance application of Bushra, said that on the previous hearing, the court had ordered that there would be a jail trial.

“Bushra Bibi reached the jail in the morning while the court had informed later.”

Due to the jail jammers, the lawyer said, Bushra could not be contacted.

The court accepted the request for exemption from appearance and postponed the hearing till Jan 2.