ISLAMABAD -District and Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand stated on Wednesday that Khawar Manika and his counsel repeatedly attempted to disrupt hearings on the appeals of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, and he requested that the case involving their alleged unlawful marriage be transferred to another court.
The judge issued a letter to the IHC registrar after Manika and his lawyers caused a commotion in the courtroom while he was about to announce his reserved ruling on the appeals. However, the judge returned to his chambers without announcing the ruling.
Judge Arjumand stated that it would be inappropriate to decide the appeals because Manika has mistrust of the court.
Earlier proceedings
When the day’s proceedings began, the court inquired about public prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi. His aide informed him that he needed to come before the Supreme Court.
The judge noted that Abbasi should have arrived in court on time. His assistant responded that he needed to argue against the appeal but had to go to the Supreme Court.
The assistant requested time till 10:30am, however Advocate Abbasi did not show up. The judge requested the assistant to consult with his superior and notify the court of his wishes.
Manika’s counsel intervened and requested that the matter be transferred to another court. Judge Arjumand noted that the request had already been denied down.
The judge requested him to provide a compelling cause for transferring the case. This was followed by a commotion in the courtroom, and Judge Arjumand returned to his chambers without announcing the verdict.
