Court summons witnesses in Ali Zafar defamation case on May 4
LAHORE (92 News) – The sessions court has summoned the witnesses in the Ali Zafar defamation case on May 4.
Talking to the media after the hearing on Saturday, he said that a true man always comes to court without summons. “Meesha had targeted me for cheap popularity and personal interest,” he alleged.
He hoped that he would get justice, saying that Meesha should come to court to face the case.
Meesha Shafi challenges LHC decision in SC
Earlier, Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi had challenged decision of Lahore High Court (LHC) in Supreme Court (SC) regarding defamation suit filed by singer and actor Ali Zafar.
According to the details garnered, singer Meesha Shafi sought more time to cross-examine witnesses. In a petition, Meesha Shafi said that trial court had not allowed to defer questioning on the witnesses.
It is pertinent to mention here that the LHC had set aside an earlier lower court directive that had mandated a conclusion to the defamation case by April 15 and instead gave the petitioners and respondents three months more.
Meesha’s lawyer, Ahmed Pansota, had said, “Our stance, i.e. the difficulty involved in concluding the trial, including examination of over 40 witnesses till April 15, 2019, stands vindicated today as the Honourable Judge acknowledged the same while enlarging the time period, alongside providing us with the opportunity to approach the court again, if required.”
The application filed at the apex court today stated: “The trial court has not allowed delaying cross-examination of the witnesses. It has said that the witnesses will be cross-examined immediately after recording their statements.”
“Cross-examining the witnesses is a basic right. It is impossible to cross-examine them without knowing them on the basis of their statements,” it stressed.
The application submitted by Meesha at the SC added, “To present a witness is the right of one respondent and to cross-examine them is the right of the other respondent.”
Singer Meesha in her application further requested the apex court to declare the LHC’s decision null and void and allow the cross-examination of the witnesses.
Ali Zafar defamation case: court fines Meesha Shafi Rs10,000
On Wednesday, a Lahore sessions court fined of Rs10,000 on singer Meesha Shafi for her lawyer’s failure to attend court hearing in a defamation case filed against her by singer-cum actor Ali Zafar.
According to the media reports, the hearing was later adjourned till April 17. Ambreen Qureshi, counsel for Ali Zafar said Meesha Shafi’s failure to appear in court was a blatant attempt to delay the case.
On Tuesday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the trial court judge to conclude Ali Zafar’s defamation case against Meesha Shafi by April 15. Ali Zafar had approached the court after being accused of sexual harassment.
