Arsalan Iftikhar case: SC rejects Riaz's application for larger bench
The court maintained that the constitution of a larger bench cannot be taken into consideration till a written reply by Riaz is filed to the court. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Jawad S Khwaja and Justice Khilji, will hear the case on Monday.
The Supreme Court had ordered both respondents of the case, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and Riaz, to submit their detailed replies by June 9, but Riaz did not submit any reply. When Express News contacted Riaz's counsel to comment on his future actions, Bukhari said that his client will only appear before the court when he is summoned by the court itself.
Meanwhile, Dr Arsalan, son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, submitted his detailed reply in the Supreme Court earlier on Saturday.
Arsalan denies all links to Riaz
In his reply, Arsalan denied all accusations against him and said that the statements of Riaz were contradictory, and if the contradiction is proved, the court should initiate an inquiry against him.
He added that all news related to him being published in the newspapers and being aired on television are wrong and only the statements he submits in the court should be given consideration.
Earlier, upon objections raised by Attorney General Irfan Qadir, the chief justice quit the three-member bench hearing his son’s case.
Qadir had said that it was against the “code of conduct” for the chief justice to hear the case.
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For all those showing hatred toward the prosecution (attorney general) it is his job to prosecute. If he is soft then he is not doing his job and becomes defense lawyer. There are three main parties in the court defense, prosecution and independent judiciary. They all do their job to make a fair trial. It is funny in this case there is a prosecutor (which is a must) but in Memo case the PCO judges took the role of both prosecution and judge. In this case the only problem is the obvious conflict of interest. Either Pakistan is a democracy with a constitution or it is a tribal populist society where the father plays a hero. Let us leave the justice to normal legal and constitutional ethics and norms. In any lawful society the father cannot be even a member of a jury let alone the chief judge. Why are we bent upon making a mockery of Pakistan in the world?
Dr Arslan got admission into medical college because he was son of a high court judge. He became a section officer , then got into FIA , promoted to 18 grade- all because he was a son of a Supreme Court PCO judge. Mishap happened when the govt. was pressed hard to induct him into police service of Pakistan. He has became a business tycoon, spends lavishly on foreign trips, and black mails another dubious business house because he is a son of CJ of Pakistan. We are told that CJ and his family are unaware of all his deeds of last over 15 years. They just happen to be living under one roof and spending lavishly on foreign trips including at Harrods.
Normally it is very easy to prove. Ask the guy how traveled abroad 3 times with family. spent lot money there. This is normally not possible. The young man by himself, who got a c grade ,then doctor, the police dept, so much promotion, then very rich in 4 years. I am an Engineer in gulf working for more than 30 years. I cannot imagine 1 travel to UK,the way the young man has done. Even if he works in USA it is not possible. You do not need much proof from others. You have to question the young man in a proper way. I heard the young man was getting VVIP treatment more than any cabinet minister. Nobody will bring evidence against him because they do not want to displease judiciary.
@ Mirza
Nearly all cases in High Court(s) are heard and decided by 2 member bench
Keeping the bench small will serve the purpose of those who want to manipulate the course of justice. Nice.
who don't know that Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Khiljii are family friends of CJ and very emotional about Arsalan as as nephew. Dad should be brought to the witness box by Zahid Hussain Bukhari (if not by Uncles) for cross-examination on his comment that he never knew what business his son is running. Imagine CJP knows everything about Bilawal, moonas and Musa but nothing about Arsalan ibne Iftikhar!?
@popsaeed: It certainly is. The forces of darkness have combined to try and disgrace an honourable man, indeed one of the few at the top who is doing his best to uphold justice and curb corruption of the ruling elite. And even after they apparently trapped his son in a bid to get even with him, he came on top by immediately hauling his son into court to set the record straight. Let us hope the forces of evil get entangled in the very trap they have set for the CJ!
All support for CJ... Many millions of Pakistanis are with CJ..!!! You are courageous.
SALUTE.
What is the case? That potentially Arsalan received crores of rupees so that he could influence his father and through him the judiciary. The case would be proved if judiciary took some favorable decisions and disproved if that did not happen. Since the judiciary's integrity is in question, how can judiciary be the one sitting on this case, should the CJ not have appointed a commission consisting of unbiased and respected civil society people? Should cases against Riaz Malik and how they are faring in the court not be taken into account?
Regardless of whether judiciary was compromised or not, the fact that Arsalan accepted the bribes is something that should be investigated to the fullest.
Like many others ,it is difficult to believe that since Arsalan lives in the same house as the CJ, he was unaware of his sudden wealth and opulent lifestyle. In particular his trips to UK and Monanco - could not be something that CJ was unaware of.
i was thinking it was a cheap shot by PPP, but after reading Arsalan Iftikhar's reply that he had visited almost every year UK with family and one one visit he spent 10,000 pounds for the room rents alone, wow he must be doing some very hi fi job, he is surely hiding something.
40 billion dollar question is that why the litigation cases against Bahria Town and DHA were in cold storage.
It is very unfortunate that Zahid Bukhari's client is always seriously ill whenever he starts contesting the case. In Haqqani case similar incident and now Malik Riaz has appointed Zahid Bukhari the same plea and argument. He always wants to delay/rather drag the issue. Why, only Bukhari can explain.
Aww Dear Riaz Sb, you should have hired someone from "raiwind" for this larger bench request. U'd have 100 % chance of getting is granted. Poor u.
Finally Musharraf's decision to send reference against CJ has been vidicated. Dr. Arslam became billionaire in three years, and yet CJ does not know. Can anyone believe that!
@popsaeed: People should Protest Peacefully in front of British Embassy for sheltering Riaz Malik & Son and other Pakistani crimnals who have been given shelter in UK. Enough is Enough.
Apparently it seems a conspiracy against judiciary even though one should try to see other side of picture, whether it seems natural that a father did not know anything about his son's business, who got admission in Bolan Medical College even after securing marks "Grade C" and so many others..........
The truth is no judge other than these two are wiling to sit on the bench. There is a rift as no one wants to be drawn into this controversy surrounding CJ's business dealings.
Wonder if the PML asks for a larger bench. Or it was "needed" if some national security issue was to be addressed. The court would have gladly obliged.
There goes the impartiality; the very basic right of every person.
Please remember, everyone, that there is not one shred of evidence yet against Dr Arsalan. In its current state, the case won't stand in any fair court in the world. Mere allegations are not enough to convict anyone.
After tough stance of present judiciary against country elite class including Prime Minister, Interior Minister and several other top officials of country top spying agencies things are going tough for Pakistan Judiciary. Recent case against chief justice son and media campaign against Chief Justice is not astonishing for many people in Pakistan people believe that rulers don’t want independent judiciary they just want Doger courts to provide cover to their illegal, unconstitutional acts and their corruption stories. Now it seems true that some hidden sources are using country top construction icon Riaz Malik as a escape goat. Riaz Malik who raise all allegations against chief justice son himself accepted that he don’t have any proof against Chief Justice of Pakistan and despite his bribe offer to Chief Justice son all 42 decisions of pending cases went against him. Now corrupt government ministers are making foul cry for chief justice resignation. Even his son is involve in any illegal activity Chief Justice is not responsible for his acts. He has already taken suo motu notice and taken away himself form judicial bench who will proceed further case hearings. True reality is that after recent Supreme Court rulings against Prime Minster contempt of court and disqualification of Interior Minster some hidden sources were trying hard to circle judiciary and Chief Justice since long time. Time line of all events are very important many decisions of pending cases are due in next month and Chief Justice is also going London to receive prestigious award. Supreme Court brave decisions against privation of Pakistan Steel, Swiss Bank corruption cases, NRO, Rental power plants corruption, case of missing persons were highly appreciated by general public. First time in country history supreme court also summoned several top officials of Pakistan powerful secret agencies In missing person case. Several people picked up by powerful agencies also freed after intervention of Chief Justice and Supreme Court of Pakistan. due to lack of interest and personal benefits ruling class and powerful agencies are still not implementing decision of supreme court in several cases.
@Mute Well said.
This case will crumble like a house of cards. They are not submitting reply but want larger bench. For what? Malik Riaz gave interview and now denying. Ansar Abbasi cannot make up a whole interview.
Malik Riaz just like PROFESSOR Haqaani will not come back to Pakistan at least not in near future. If he does, he will end up in jail.
Never become arrogant even if younare doing all good
@syed imran: The present case against Dr. Arslan is not a conspiracy to derail system of administration of justice, rather its results may help restore the derailed system @observer: @k. Salim Jahangir: There are other coincidences as well: Arslan got admitted to Bolan Medical College with a Grade C in FSc. He got appointed as an SO He got transferred to FIA as Assistant Director Got promoted to Deputy Director in few days Sent to National Police Academy for training as ASP...... Dr. Arslan's mother and sister returned home with costly gifts from UK and his father was still innocent and oblivious Dr. Arslan accumulated billions in few years still...no iota of doubt In such a case as per previous tradition neither the accused was ordered to be arrested and investigated by FIA.. And the list goes on.... Please wake up and see whats brewing up...who has been playing to the gallery and is still playing innocent...In desire for popular appeal he just stepped on the wrong toes...
@mute media groups will write son of CJ In there articles..... For them it dramatises the entire event n catches ppls attention....thus helping them sell more newspaper copies... Its businesss that matters in pakistan ... Not ethics.... Its how they make dollars!
Conspiracy or no conspiracy! Truth is this criminal got bribes from a business tycoon to the tunes of crores of rupees. He can't deny it. His other business dealings are also shady. Why was he being hired as consultant. What qualification did he have?
Dear All, (Specially news reporters of all media houses) until the decision of the case. Please don't write " CHIEF JUSTICE'S SON OR SON OF CH.IFTIKHAR in your news stories, reporting and other references as honorable Chief Justice by himself apart from his son til the decision. yes we can called him dr arsalan only.
Why large bench?. Is there some constitutional issue.OR is it a very rich person can demand a large bench because he is very rick?!
@ Yamin...............In your dreams
CJP summons IG of FC.
CJP decides to hear the Asghar Khan case.
Dr Arsalan Iftikhar case that had appeared last in 2006, reappears promptly.
Draw your own conclusions.
Samajhdar ko Ishara hi Kafi Hota Hai.
We all support CJ
A rich man, of course ,mr arsalan , he is telling lies with great skil
Supporters of CJ now seem to have disappeared from newspapers.
That's how he operates.It is no coincidence that Mr. Bokhari represented Raymond Davis & is now representing Hussain Haqqani & Riaz Malick?
A big conspiracy to derail justice system in Pakistan. Malik Riaz should be ashamed of playing in hands of ruling elite and will be remembered for the dirty and shameful act of maligning the CJ and trying to buy justice through blackmail