Summary A three-member bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal conducted hearing of the case.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday indicted PML-N leader and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry in contempt of court.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal conducted hearing of the case and rejected the minister’s plea.
The court handed over the charge sheet to the PML-N leader and directed him to sign it.
During the hearing, the lawyer Kamran Murtaza adopted stance that a new petition has been submitted by his client therefore; the indictment cannot be done until verdict is declared on the new plea.
“Today’s date is set for the indictment proceedings. We will hear you afterwards. First let us indict the minister in the case,” remarked Justice Ejaz Afzal.
On the other hand, Talal Chaudhry pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Supreme Court.
The court while concluding the proceeding adjourned the hearing till March 27.
Anti-judiciary remarks
On February 2, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on took a suo motu notice of Talal Chaudhry’s "contemptuous speeches" against judiciary.
The notice was taken after the minister denigrated Panama Case verdict on myriad occasions. While equating judges with idols in Jaranwala rally in January, Talal urged PML-N quaid for life Nawaz Sharif to oust them from courts. He said there was no hope of justice till these judges were sitting in the courts.
Previously, SC indicted Federal Minister for Privatisation Daniyal Aziz in contempt of court case under Article 204 of the Constitution and Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003.
The apex court stated that the minister tried to scandalize the judiciary and interfered with judicial proceedings. On the other hand, Daniyal Aziz pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Supreme Court.
