IHC issues notice to Khawar Maneka

Justice Jahangiri notes if complaint is proven to be false, action can be taken against complainant under Section 497

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to the former husband of Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, in response to a petition seeking the dismissal of an illegal marriage case. The court has summoned Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, to appear in court tomorrow, January 17.

A single-member IHC bench, comprising Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, on Monday, reserved its order on an application requesting the suspension of a trial court's proceedings on the illegal marriage case.

According to Bushra Bibi, Maneka filed a complaint under reprehensible motives, accusing her of serious offenses such as tying the knot with Imran without completing the iddat—a compulsory waiting period—and committing adultery.

During the proceedings, Justice Jahangiri noted that if a complaint is proven to be false, action can be taken against the complainant as well under Section 497.

Bushra’s counsel, Salman Akram Raja, informed the bench that the trial court is conducting daily hearings and is expected to indict the former first lady soon. He requested the court to stay the trial court’s proceedings.

Justice Jahangiri, however, noted that the court would like to hear the version of the complainant as well. The court later adjourned until January 17, issuing notice to Maneka.