Pakistan
Shehryar Afridi arrest: Contempt of court charges filed against DC Islamabad, SSP operations
IHC's Justice Babar Sattar conducted the hearing of Shehryar Afridi's arrest case.
Islamabad: Islamabad High Court has initiated contempt of court proceedings against Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations for exceeding their authority in the case related to Shahriyar Afridi's MPOR order.
Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court is presiding over the contempt of court case regarding the violation of powers in the MPOR order against Shahriyar Afridi.
DC Islamabad Irfan Nazam and SSP Operations Jamil Zafar appeared in court, with the Attorney General of Islamabad also present as the court's prosecutor.
The court also issued a summons for Deputy Commissioner Islamabad.
In response to the contempt proceedings, DC Islamabad and SSP Operations submitted a clarification to the court, stating that their intent was not to disrespect the court's authority in issuing the order.
Justice Babar Sattar responded, emphasizing that today they have put the charge sheeting day in motion.
DC Islamabad requested an unconditional pardon from the court, which the court rejected, and the contempt charge was formally read to them.
The court directed DC Islamabad to establish the charges in the trial, asking, "Have you heard the allegations now that you have been summoned to open court?" The charge sheet was read aloud in the open court.
DC Islamabad denied the charges of contempt, but Justice Babar Sattar told him that if he were to be sentenced, he would face a maximum of six months in jail. "You will also see how those you send to jail spend their time."
The court charged DC Islamabad Irfan Nazam, SSP Operations Jamil Zafar, SP Farooq Bhattar, and SHO Naseer Manzoor, while Advocate Qaiser Imam was appointed as the court prosecutor for the trial.