The Supreme Court on Thursday indicted Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry in contempt of court case. A three-member bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal, heard the suo motu case against the state minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader for scandalizing the court in his speeches. Talal Chaudhry read the charges and after that signed the charge-sheet, but he pleaded not guilty. The minister is indicted on the basis of speeches he made on September 24 and 27, 2017.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, on March 13 had framed changes against Federal Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz in contempt of court case, while the Chief Justice of Pakistan's bench will indict former Senator PML-N Nehal Hashmi on March 26 for using abusive language against the judges.
Talal's counsel Kamran Murtaza requested the court to show judicial restrain as a day ago it was shown by the bench led by the CJP. The Chief Justice on March 14 had dismissed the petitions against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq and Privatization Minister Daniyal Aziz.
Kamran Murtaza said the bench even did not issue notices to the alleged contemnors. He further informed that the judgment in that case has not come yet, adding after that judgment the court should frame charges against his client. Kamran Murtaza further argued that the material on the basis of that the court has decided to proceed against Talal Chauhhry was not provided to him.
Justice Ejaz said: "We would hear you let the charges be framed first. If no case is made out then we will not convict him." The judge also told the counsel that at the time of argument he could cite judgments that favour his case. Kamran Murtaza contended that the indictment is itself stigma, adding: "My client is young man and it will not be good for his future."
Talal in his reply to show cause notice submitted that the respect and dignity of apex court has been ensured through Article 204 of the Constitution. "The provisions of the same Constitution jealously guards and protects the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression through Article 19." He has also submitted that it is well settled by now that the Article 204 of the Constitution is to be construed in conjunction with Article 19 and 66 thereof in a manner which should deter the commission of contempt of court. At the same time it should preserve and protect the freedom of speech and expression.
Talal's reply further states that he exercises his right of free speech and expression within the four corners of law and without any hunch of an action which may amount to contempt of this court.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.