The ball was set rolling for real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain as the Supreme Court on Thursday formally indicted him with contempt of court charges for his mocking of the judiciary in his press conference held on June 12.
Though Riaz had tendered an unconditional apology to the court for his press conference in which, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand, he had hurled serious but contradictory charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, on an issue that was sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media. However, the court did not agree with his apology. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Athar Saeed resumed the hearing of the contempt case and tasked Attorney General Irfan Qadir with appearing as prosecutor in the case. During the course of the proceedings, Malik Riaz responded to the bench’s query in the negative and said he had not ridiculed the judiciary in his press conference. Dr Abdul Basit, counsel for Malik Riaz, contended that his client had already moved an intra-court appeal under the annulled Contempt of Court Act 2012, and, therefore, the proceedings should be halted until a decision was taken on his pending appeal.
However, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan told him that the contempt act was no longer in the field as it was struck down and the ongoing proceedings were being conducted under the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003. The judge told him to regard the annulled act as non-existent. However, Dr Basit contended that his client had moved the intra-court appeal when the Contempt of Court Act 2012 was in place. He said the charges against his client were not clear and he did not understand the reasons for his indictment. He said the charges did not contain the words that his client had uttered any contemptuous words against the judiciary. Attorney General Irfan Qadir also objected to use of words in contempt charges. The bench observed that they had all the records and the relevant data which explained the contempt committed by Malik Riaz.
Further hearing of the case was adjourned until August 29. Previously, a three-judge bench comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Amir Hani Muslim had issued a notice after a note put forward by the Registrar of the Supreme Court and a separate plea moved by Chaudhry Ashraf Gujjar, advocate of the Supreme Court and former president of the Islamabad Bar Association. The bench in its order had noted that prima facie, after going through the contents of the press conference, Malik Riaz attempted at ridiculing the court and the judges of this court. The bench said Malik had showed disrespect for the judiciary and caused obstruction in administration of justice.
supreme court has lost its respect.judges are totally biased, they grant a stay order in favour of chief judg,s son and charge malik riaz.what a mockery of justice.
just on the basis of wrods used and lose temparment can not prove malik riaz's crime, it must be seen deeply that what was the cause of his loos temper that day
It appears as if SC acts only on contempt of court cases. However; there are more serious crimes to be decided e.g. Malik Riaz could be charged on corruption
The Supreme Court of contempt cases should see to it that Arsalan doe not commit contempt of court and appear before the investigative team.
This will lead to nothing. Its already obvious.
The real estate tycoon Malik Riaz after his press conference now got indict from the SCP but what about Faisal raza abidi(Senator PPP) and his press conference in which Mr. Faisal Raza abidi openly called The Whole Judiciary and the CJP with very sarcastic words?
This shows that SC is just taking advantage of the innocence of Mr. Malik and scared of Mr. Faisal raza and that's the reason the SC is not taking any action against Mr. Faisal and already took a decision against the True Patriot of Pakistan..!
There's no point if a lamely convicted person is appologizing unconditionaly and then even after that the court is imposing claims on him. The SCP should accept Mr. Malik appology..
Its a baised decision by SC …..they charge Mr Malik on contempt of court …well there are so many others cases which should be decided before this one its seems like SC is decicded to charge Mr Malik on every thing and spare the others………
Baby Arsalan must be taken care of by his father. He became a millionaire within a few years by using his fathers name and address. But his poor innocent father did not know what his son was doing – he did not even know who was paying for his wife’s expenses for the foreign trips. Has anyone seen such a simple innocent and honest man? He is an angel really! God has sent him to look after all of us. So what is wrong if he is looking after Baby Arsalan? All officers of all investigating agencies are prejudiced and biased. So Baby must be left alone and be allowed to do what he pleases.
looks like SC is influenced by mr arslan and his father
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