Islamabad (Web Desk): An Islamabad district and sessions court on Wednesday did not announce its already reserved verdict in the iddat case against former premier Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi as the complainant was assaulted outside the court.
Khawar Maneka, the former husband of Bushra Bibi, was attacked by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyers outside the court.
The videos went viral on social media showing the lawyers hurling bottles at Khawar Maneka over using abusive language against the party founder and his wife. He can be seen falling as people pull the attackers off of him.
During the hearing of appeals that commenced an an hour later than scheduled, Maneka appeared before the court along with his counsel Rizwan Abbasi.
The judge observed that prosecutor Abbasi was yet to present arguments on two points, following which he stepped onto the dais. However, Maneka requested the court for some time to present his arguments. At this, the judge asked him to let his counsel speak first. “My lawyer will not be able to explain my suffering. I will speak myself,” replied Maneka.
At this point, Bushra Bibi’s counsel Usman Gill urged the court to issue contempt notices to Maneka for interrupting court proceedings.
Maneka asked for 10 minutes of speaking time, saying he belonged to a village and that rumors were being spread about him and his daughter's divorce every day. “Fake divorce letters are being made and spread on social media,” the complainant maintained.
Maneka’s interruption irked the PTI counsels who got into a heated argument with the former. Judge Arjumand then intervened asking the lawyers if they wanted to create scene.
“Today, respect is being demanded for a person who has served as the former premier. Why not grant a poor man the same respect too?” asked Maneka as he compared himself to Imran.
“I am being threatened. Listen to this poor man. I don't believe in this court. I only believe in the Almighty. Think of me as a poor person, and realize what my family has suffered. My house has been destroyed,” he lamented.
He then asked the judge to not make a decision, alleging that he appeared to have been “influenced”.
Judge Arjumand remarked that it was not possible for him to transfer the case at this stage. However, he observed that any decision he now gives would be controversial.
The judge left the court and went into his chamber without announcing the verdict.
The sessions court was expected to announce verdict on Bushra, Imran Khan's appeals against conviction today.
Shortly after, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand wrote to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting it to fix the case for hearing in some other court.
“Though earlier application of complainants has already been dismissed in this regard on April 30, 2024, but I think it will not be appropriate to decide the lis when specific objection has been raised on the Presiding Officer, ”the judge wrote in the letter.
It added “As arguments at length were heard in the matter, therefore, it is humbly submitted to transfer the appeals to any other court of competent jurisdiction.”
“It is further submitted that complainant and his counsel always tried to frustrate and delay the proceedings on one pretext or other, therefore, time frame may be fixed for disposal of appeals,” the judge wrote.
Last week, the court reserved the verdict on appeals filed by Imran Khan and his wife against their conviction in the iddat case.