CJ bars Arsalan from returning home

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar while denying the allegations of receiving Rs 300 to 400 million from Bahria Town management, said that he was innocent and has no issue with his father heading the bench, as a judge has no relations while hearing a case.

He said that while talking to media representatives upon his arrival to the SC building with his lawyer Sardar Ishaq Advocate prior to start of hearing of the suo moto notice of graft case involving him here on Wednesday.

When asked by Geo News correspondent whether Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry had barred him from returning home, Arsalan replied in the affirmative.

"My father has told me I don't need to return home nor to make any contact with the family members," Dr. Arsalan said, adding he had full faith in the court and whatever verdict it reached would be acceptable to him.

He said he was innocent and denied all allegations leveled against him, adding that he had been told not to return home until a judgment was reached.

Responding to a question, Dr Arsalan said he has no issue with his father heading the bench, adding that a judge has no relations while hearing a case.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu notice taken over allegations that Dr Arsalan Iftikhar had been doled out Rs300 to 400 million by property tycoon Malik Riaz.

The case is being heard by a three-judge bench comprising the chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain.