Imran exonerated in two vandalism cases

ISLAMABAD:

A judicial magistrate of Islamabad on Tuesday acquitted PTI founding chairman and former premier Imran Khan in two cases pertaining to the vandalism during the party’s two long march in March 2022.

Judicial magistrate Shaista Kundi heard the pleas filed by Imran for his acquittal in the cases registered against at Islamabad's Lohi Bhair and Sahala police stations as well one related to his production in the court.

The judge rejected the plea of the former premier to produce him in the court despite acquitting him in two cases.

During the hearing, Imran's counsel Naeem Panjotha contended that all the cases against the ex-premier were limited to the extent of “orders“.

“He [Imran) was booked in multiple cases in a single day. He was framed in the same role,” he added.

The lawyer informed the magistrate that the complainant was an SHO, who he argued lacked the authority to lodge cases.

“The cases also do not include the statements of witnesses.”

Panjotha maintained that neither a notification was issued, nor the PTI was informed about the enforcement of Section 144.

Read Long march sets off for ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’

The judicial magistrate inquired whether or not Imran had been acquitted in cases before.

The counsel responded that his client had been acquitted in several cases earlier.

As Imran’s counsel concluded his arguments, the court reserved the verdict, which was announced later in the day.

Another judicial magistrate Sohaib Bilal will decide the PTI founding chairman’s acquittal plea on May 15 in two cases filed against him at Bhara Kahu police station.

On May 27, 2022, the Islamabad police filed separate cases against 150 people including then PTI chairman Imran Khan as well as other party leaders over allegations of arson and vandalism in the federal capital a day earlier.

The footage of the Safe City cameras as well as those from private TV news channels was included in the challans of the cases as evidence. At least 39 people were taken into custody after identification from the footage.

Imran launched a march toward Islamabad to topple the coalition government that assumed power after he was ousted as the premier following a vote of no confidence.

The rally was part of the PTI’s struggle to achieve “real freedom” and deliver the nation from the “slavery” of the “US-backed” coalition government.

Imran accused the coalition government of being an "imported government that came to power through a US-backed conspiracy".