Staff Reporter
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday once again served contempt of court notices to 32 lawyers involved in IHC rampage and directed them to submit their written reply on next date.
The court of Justice Aamer Farooq adjourned hearing against 26 lawyers for three weeks. Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA)’s President Haseeb Chaudhry and other lawyers appeared before the court.
The lawyers on the occasion requested the court to constitute a joint investigate team (JIT) to probe the Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s operation against their chambers.
They pleaded before the court that the lawyers were being targeted deliberately, adding that it was attempted to arrest them on gate.
Justice Farooq said that if the lawyer organisations itself demonstrate responsibility then the other lawyers wouldn’t face problems. This incident was a tragedy for black coat and judges, he said.
The court asked the bar representatives to point out the lawyers involved in IHC attack if they were sincere to take the matter to its logical end and bring the courts on routine.
The court noted that the CCTV cameras were not functional on that day. The lawyers said that they were neither provided verified copies of FIRs not they were given the rights of bail. The lawyers submitted that the police was raiding the houses of lawyers in the name of the honorable court.
Meanwhile, Justice Fiaz Ahmed Jandran heard the case against two lawyer included Kulsoom Rafiq and Kamran Yousaf.
The two lawyers sought time for filling of their comments in contempt of court case.
However, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri again served notices to Khalid Mehmood Advocate. His lawyer informed the court that his client was an employee of PEMRA and had no connection with the incident. The police had arrested him due to the confusion of same names.
Justice Baber Sattar heard the case against four lawyers including Tasaduq Haneef. Joint secretary IHCBA appeared before the court and submitted that he would contest the case.
Meanwhile, an Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday extended the judicial remand of two lawyers and sent them to jail till March 1, in Islamabad High Court ambush case.
The court also adjourned hearing on bail petitions of three lawyers due to lawyers’ strike.
ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan heard the case.
The two lawyers including Naveed Malik and Nazia Abbasi were produced before the bench after completion of their remand period.
During the hearing, accused Nazia Abbasi pleaded that she had no connection with the violent protest of lawyers. The prosecution should present evidence to prove her involvement in the incident, she said, adding that she was being dragged in personal disputes. After this, the court extended the judicial remand of the two lawyers till March 1.
Meanwhile, the court adjourned hearing on bail petitions of Secretary District Bar Association Liaqat Manzor Kambo, Muhammad Umer and Khalid Mehmood till February 19, due to lawyers’ strike.
