Manhandling of former CJP: SC reserves verdict

ISLAMABAD: A five-member Supreme Court bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa Tuesday reserved judgment in the case of manhandling of former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Seven former members of the Islamabad capital administration and police personnel convicted for roughing up the former chief justice in March 2007 filed an appeal against their conviction.

During the course of proceedings, Khalid Ranjha, on behalf of his clients, former Inspector General of Police Islamabad and other officers offered an unconditional apology to the court.

Justice Khosa remarked that whether an apology was enough to conclude contempt proceedings against a person who was caught on camera abusing the court.

He asked how could the court determine if the apology was genuine remorse or just an act to wrap up contempt proceedings. There should be a yardstick to find out if the apology had been submitted with bona-fide intention, he added.

The Acting Chief Justice also remarked that the court wanted to set the case a precedent. The counsel for the defendants sought mercy.

The bench then reserved the verdict.