SC to indict Malik Riaz in contempt case today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) is set to indict business tycoon Malik Riaz today in the contempt of court case for ridiculing the judiciary in his press conference on June 12, Geo News reported Monday

The court had also appointed Attorney General Irfan Qadir to prosecute him on Friday.

A three-member special bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Athar Saeed will conducted the hearing of the case “contempt proceedings against Malik Riaz Hussain by order of the Chief Justice of Pakistan on the note of Supreme Court registrar.

On last hearing, the court after hearing the arguments of Dr Basit, counsel for Malik Riaz, had ruled to decide as to whether it could further hear the arguments or decide to indict Malik Riaz. On Friday, the court, however, in its order ruled that prima facie, Malik Riaz has committed contempt of court. The court, after issuing notice to Attorney General Irfan Qadir, asked him to prosecute Malik Riaz.

The court further ruled that if the attorney general could not appear before the court on July 16 then the deputy attorney general should ensure his presence.

Dr Basit, counsel fro Malik Riaz, however, requested the court to adjourn the case for two weeks and to allow Malik Riaz to complete his medical treatment. He also requested the court to exempt his client from appearing before the court in person during the instant proceedings. The court, however, rejected the counsel’s plea and asked him that if Malik Riaz seeks exemption from appearing before the court, he should properly file an application after the court farmed charge against him in the contempt proceedings. The court directed Malik Riaz to ensure his presence on July 16.

Earlier, the court had issued a show cause notice to Malik Riaz for scandalising and ridiculing the judiciary through his press conference, relating to the Dr Arsalan case wherein he claimed that in some of the meetings he had with the chief justice, the incumbent registrar of the Supreme Court and Dr Iftikhar, the chief justice’s son, were also present.

Riaz, through his counsel Dr Basit, had tendered an unqualified apology and said that he held all judges of all courts in highest esteem, particularly Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

In his reply, Malik Riaz submitted that as he was denied the opportunity to explain his position in court, he lost self-control, adding that he addressed the press conference to prevent the ruin of Bahria Town, which was brought to the brink of disaster.

He, however, submitted that if any remark made by him was adjudged to have any adverse tendency on the administration of justice, he offered an unqualified apology for that. Riaz reiterated his confidence in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and its chief justice.