ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued notices in a petition of US citizen Cynthia D Ritchie seeking registration of a rape case against Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Senator Rehman Malik. A single bench of Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition moved by Cynthia through her counsel, Imran Feroze Malik Advocate, and served notices on Rehman Malik, Justice of Peace Islamabad, SP Complaint, and the SHO PS Secretariat.
The court also directed the respondents to submit a reply, and deferred the hearing till the first week of Sep for further proceedings.
The counsel stated that the petitioner moved an application against Rehman Malik before the Justice of Peace Islamabad with specific allegations of rape. He said threats by the senator of dire consequences and rape allegations were reported to the SP Complaint and the SHO but till date no FIR had been lodged.
He added that upon which jurisdiction of Justice of Peace under Section 22-A/B of CrPC was invoked but the petition was dismissed by the additional district and sessions (ADS) judge "illegally and unlawfully".
The counsel maintained that the accused mentioned in the application had committed heinous cognizable offence and report in that regard was also conveyed to the concerned police official but till date no action whatsoever had been taken.
He argued that the Section 154 of CrPC was mandatory in nature, which left no discretion with Station House Officer except to lodge an FIR after receipt of information of commission of cognizable offence.
The petitioner's counsel mentioned that the accused party was trying to hide under the garb of civil controversy, which by no means entitled the accused persons to commit heinous cognizable offences.
He added that the petitioner was left with no other remedy except to invoke the jurisdiction of this court. Therefore, he prayed before the court that instant petition might kindly be accepted and the order of Justice of Peace be set aside and the SP Complaint might graciously be directed to lodge the FIR in the best interest of justice. A local court on August 5 had dismissed the petition of US blogger Cynthia D Ritchie seeking registration of a rape case against Senator Rehman Malik.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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