Online defamation: PHC restrains Azam Hoti’s ex-wife from using social media against him
Seeks report from Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber crime wing.
The court also sought a report from the Cyber Crimes Wing in charge of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued an order restricting the ex-wife of Awami National Party (ANP) central leader Senator Azam Khan Hoti from using social media against her former spouse, who has accused her of defaming him.
A two-member bench of Justice Nisar Hussain Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued the order on Hoti’s petition submitted by Advocate Sabitullah Khan Khalil. The court also sought a report from the Cyber Crimes Wing in charge of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Khalil told the court his client’s ex-wife Shamim Akhtar Kiani had been using social media to upload various pictures and videos which were damaging the reputation of her former husband who is an incumbent senator and former federal minister.
He also told the bench his client has already informed the FIA but the agency is yet to take any action. The FIA yields all the powers to block such accounts and take action against the users under the relevant law, he added.
After hearing the preliminary arguments, the court issued an order restraining Shamim Kiani from using social media against her former husband and also issued directives to the FIA to submit a report regarding the matter.
Kiani has been engaged in a long legal battle with her former husband over non-payment of dower and the inaction of the police against Hoti.
On March 20, Kiani attempted self-immolation in front of the Islamabad police chief’s office, but the policemen deployed at the gate snatched the matches and jerry can of petrol from her. Kiani was then shifted to a women police station in Sector G-7.
Later on April 7, Rawalpindi police registered a case against Azam Hoti on the directives of the court, following an application filed by Kiani on charges of him threatening her.
Kiani initially filed a suit against Hoti demanding Rs110 million in mehr as promised in the nikahnama. The civil suit was later withdrawn on assurances of Hoti to pay the money which was not eventually paid. Kiani then moved the Islamabad High Court against her ex-husband.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2014.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued an order restricting the ex-wife of Awami National Party (ANP) central leader Senator Azam Khan Hoti from using social media against her former spouse, who has accused her of defaming him.
A two-member bench of Justice Nisar Hussain Khan and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued the order on Hoti’s petition submitted by Advocate Sabitullah Khan Khalil. The court also sought a report from the Cyber Crimes Wing in charge of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Khalil told the court his client’s ex-wife Shamim Akhtar Kiani had been using social media to upload various pictures and videos which were damaging the reputation of her former husband who is an incumbent senator and former federal minister.
He also told the bench his client has already informed the FIA but the agency is yet to take any action. The FIA yields all the powers to block such accounts and take action against the users under the relevant law, he added.
After hearing the preliminary arguments, the court issued an order restraining Shamim Kiani from using social media against her former husband and also issued directives to the FIA to submit a report regarding the matter.
Kiani has been engaged in a long legal battle with her former husband over non-payment of dower and the inaction of the police against Hoti.
On March 20, Kiani attempted self-immolation in front of the Islamabad police chief’s office, but the policemen deployed at the gate snatched the matches and jerry can of petrol from her. Kiani was then shifted to a women police station in Sector G-7.
Later on April 7, Rawalpindi police registered a case against Azam Hoti on the directives of the court, following an application filed by Kiani on charges of him threatening her.
Kiani initially filed a suit against Hoti demanding Rs110 million in mehr as promised in the nikahnama. The civil suit was later withdrawn on assurances of Hoti to pay the money which was not eventually paid. Kiani then moved the Islamabad High Court against her ex-husband.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2014.