ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court Duty Judge, Tahir Abbas Supra, dismissed the bail applications of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatta in the altercation case outside the High Court.
During the hearing on the pre-arrest bail applications on Thursday, Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatta did not appear in court and the court dismissed their bail applications.
The case was registered on the complaint of Islamabad High Court Bar President, Wajid Ali Gilani, over a heated exchange of words during a protest outside the High Court Bar Office.
Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatta had filed pre-arrest bail applications in this matter.
In another case, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka summoned the accused, Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, in their personal capacity in the controversial tweets case.
During the hearing on Thursday, Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali did not appear in court.
The court adjourned the hearing until 11:30, after which the accused still did not appear.
The court inquired whether there was any information regarding their absence, to which the prosecution informed the court that the accused were deliberately staying in the High Court.
The prosecution requested that the court issue arrest warrants for the accused. Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka stated “his hands were open to issue such an order”and adjourned the hearing.
Subsequently, prosecutor Rana Usman appeared in court, while Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali did not. Prosecutor Rana Usman stated that the accused had not appeared in court despite being called several times. Furthermore, he said even the High Court has directed them to attend the court proceedings but they are not doing so.
He requested for rejection of their bail and asked for warrants to be issued. Judge Muhammad Afzal At this point Judge Majuka noted that neither the accused nor their defence lawyer has appeared in court.
According to the High Court’s direction, cross-examination must be completed by January 24. The accused were ordered to appear in court in person at 8:30 am.
The court adjourned the hearing until Friday (today).
On the other hand, Advocate Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha spent their second night in the office of the President of the Islamabad High Court Bar.
When court proceedings began, they went to the court to complete their biometrics before returning to the President’s office.
On this occasion, senior lawyer Babar Awan, High Court Bar President Wajid Ali Gilani, Islamabad Bar Council member Aleem Abbasi, and a large number of other lawyers visited them to express solidarity.
During one of those communications, Iman Mazari said, “We do not seeking any concessions; we are sitting here to surrender. We will go on our own—just tell us how many cases have been filed against us.”
During their presence, a heavy contingent of police was deployed around the High Court.
All vehicles entering and leaving the parking lot were being checked. Both individuals had obtained pre-arrest bail from the Islamabad High Court in the July case, after which another case was registered against Iman Mazari and Hadi Chatha by the Islamabad Police.
