SC rejects Talal's plea seeking contempt case adjournment till election

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Tuesday rejected a plea of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Talal Chuadhry seeking adjournment of contempt of court proceedings against him till holding of general election 2018.

A three-member bench comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmad, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Faisal Arab also directed him to produce evidence in his support till June 21.

During the course of proceedings, Shah Muhammad Jatoi, associate of Kamran Murtaza, leading counsel for the PML-N leader, informed the bench that Kamran Murtaza could not appear before the court as he was not feeling well. Moreover, marriage of his (Kamran's) niece was also due in coming days and he needed time for its preparation, he added.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed expressed annoyance, observing that how could Kamran make such a request as the court had fixed hearing for today on his request.

"Kamran was directed to produce the remaining witnesses on June 19 so that the trial could be concluded, but he himself did not appear," he added.

Justice Gulzar asked Talal Chuadhry as to whether he would plead his case himself or engage a new lawyer to continue hearing of the case.

To this, Talal Chuadhry requested the court to adjourn the case till general elections so that he could run his election campaign smoothly. The court, however, rejected his plea and directed him to produce rest of the witnesses on June 21 (Thursday).

The bench also directed General Manager (Operations) of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Muhammad Tahir to appear on next hearing to record his testimony.

At the last hearing, the court had recorded the statements of two defence witnesses, out of total 17, in the contempt of court case against the former minister. Both the defence witnesses, who had testified in favour of Talal Chaudhry, were later cross-examined by the prosecutor.