Contempt of court case: IHC rejects Imran Khan's reply, decides to indict him on Sept 22

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday decided to frame charges against PTI chairman Imran Khan in the contempt of court case, rejecting his reply submitted by him.

Announcing the reserved verdict, the court declared the reply submitted by Imran Khan as unsatisfactory. The court also observed that Hamid Sahib tried his best, but alas in vain.

He remarked that Imran Khan had done a criminal insult and provocation was done about the female judge. "We will not allow anyone to hurt the dignity of the court. The subordinate judiciary is the red line of this court. No judge was mentioned in the Nehal Hashmi case, but he was punished despite tendering an apology," he remarked.

The IHC chief justice observed that a threat to the district judiciary is a heinous crime more than a threat to the Supreme Court judge.

Justice Babar Sattar remarked that the speech word were threatening. "Imran Khan has not expressed regret through his attitude." The court ruled that they are bound to follow the verdict of the seven-member bench. "We are protectors of the freedom of expression, but provocation cannot be allowed."

Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that whatever happened in Saudi Arabia was an outcome of instigating the people.

Presenting the arguments, Hamid Khan, counsel for Imran Khan, said that his client had not hurled the threat and perhaps the matter has been felt a lot. "We are ashamed if the sentiments of the judge were hurt."

He requested the court to end the contempt of court proceedings against Imran Khan. Court assistants Munir A Malik and Makhdoom Ali Khan also opposed the contempt of court proceedings.

Munir A Malik observed that the words are regrettable, but are not a hurdle in the provision of justice. Makhdoom Ali Khan said that there should be no ban on the freedom of expression.

The attorney general, in his arguments, stated that Imran Khan was issued the show-cause notice and the reply to the show-cause notice should have been submitted with the show-cause notice. "In 2014, he was given the relief in such cases," he added.

Earlier, PTI chairman Imran Khan sought permission to speak at the rostrum to present his stance. "Can I present my stance?" At this, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah replied that they had listened to the arguments of all lawyers.

Talking to the media outside court, PTI chairman Imran Khan said that he want to give some explanation, but he was not given the opportunity. "Each word is uttered in some perspective," he added.