The Supreme Court (SC) has rejected an unqualified apology tendered by 11 officers in a contempt of court proceeding in connection with the manhandling of former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
The 11 officers included former Islamabad commissioner Khalid Pervez and former deputy commissioner Chaudhry Muhammad Ali.
The court remarked that a three-member bench has already discussed the matter related to the apology and now decision will be given on merit after hearing arguments.
Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked “this case is not a case of the former chief justice in his individual capacity but it is a case of dignity and prestige of the institution. Individual matters lead to the ruin of institutions. The officers consider themselves more loyal to the king than the law. Now the matter of apology cannot be talked about. Give the arguments on merit. The decision will be made after hearing the arguments. We will review all the aspects of the case”.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that police officers cannot say that they have not been given opportunity to defend themselves. “You want the matter to be shifted to the trial court but the chief justice wants that you give arguments on merit.”
Dr Khalid Ranjha, Ibrahim Satti and other lawyers appeared on behalf of Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, Khalid Pervez, Jamil Hashmi, Rukhsar Mehdi, Seraj Khan and others.
They requested the court that all the aforementioned officers have retired, therefore the court should withdraw its observation. Chaudhry Muhammad Ali and Khalid Pervez have served 15 days in prison while Rukhsar Mehdi and Jamil Hashmi served the sentence until the rising of the court.
Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked “you are saying this in a way as if they have done nothing. These are officers who chalked out the security plan”.
Police officers had misbehaved with former CJP Chaudhry and the court had taken suo motu notice of the issue. Several police officers were awarded punishment and they had filed review petitions against their conviction.