Contempt charges: ‘Errant child’ Awan apologises to apex court

Bench observes that former law minister would be first indicted before his apology can be considered.

ISLAMABAD:

After falling out of favour with his party, Senator Babar Awan decided on Tuesday to give in to the apex court.

Awan tendered an ‘unconditional apology’ to the Supreme Court, specifically to Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, for criticising a court verdict in the Memogate scandal case.

“The court is like a parent while the contemnor in the contempt proceedings is like an errant child,” said Awan in his written apology submitted on his behalf by advocate Ali Zafar to a two-judge bench.

The bench – headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal – resumed hearing in the contempt case against Awan on Tuesday. Currently, Awan is in India for medical checkups. On Monday, he had sought exemption from appearance in the court in person until April 17.

Unfazed by Awan’s apology, Justice Afzal observed that the alleged contemnor would first be indicted and then the court would consider his apology. The court, however, expressed unhappiness over Awan’s continued absence from proceedings.

Contempt of court proceedings were initiated against Awan after he criticised the Dec 1, 2011 verdict of the apex court pertaining to the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the Memogate scandal.

In his letter, Awan stated that his comments regarding the judiciary were unintentional, based on inadvertence and that he was offering an unconditional apology for his utterances that have been found prima facie to be disrespectful by this bench.

Awan said that there was no doubt about Justice Khosa’s acumen, integrity, impartiality and dedication to his work.

Awan suggested that whatever the outcome of the trial may be, the decision should help maintain the mutual respect and relationship between the bar and the bench.

The bench adjourned the case till April 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2012.