Alleged blasphemy: Rauf Siddiqui’s case against Zulfiqar Mirza dismissed

Judge says matter is pending before SHC

KARACHI: An application filed by Sindh Industries Minister Abdul Rauf Siddiqui against former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza for proceedings under the blasphemy law was dismissed here on Thursday by an additional district and sessions judge.

The court held in its order that Rauf Siddiqui has also filed an identical application before the Sindh High Court, which is pending adjudication and hence this application is not maintainable.

In his complaint, Siddiqui maintained that Zulfiqar Mirza had during his interviews with different television channels uttered words which were allegedly blasphemous and thus he must be booked and tried for making them.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge, South, deciding the matter ordered the SHO of the relevant police station to register a case if a cognisable offence is made out. As the registration of an FIR was delayed for different reasons by the police, Siddiqui went to the SHC and sub-ordinate court simultaneously.

Mirza’s lawyer Muhammad Ashraf Sammoo opposed the application on the grounds that his client was a devout Muslim and couldn’t even think of committing blasphemy. He maintained that as the complainant has already moved the high court, the sub-ordinate court lacks the jurisdiction and power to hear an identical application.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2012.