Islamabad court cancels bail of Imaan Mazari, husband in controversial tweets case

• Imaan failed to appear, exemption request rejected by judge.
• Court ended accused's right to cross-examination.
• Case registered by NCCIA under Peca 2016 sections.
  

ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday cancelled the bail of lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in the controversial tweets case.

Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka revoked the bail of both accused and ordered their arrest and production before the court. The court also terminated their right to cross-examination and announced that statements under Section 342 would be recorded on Friday.

Mazari and Chattha were booked in a case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under Sections 9, 10, 11 and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 and were subsequently indicted on October 30.

During the hearing on Thursday, Imaan failed to appear before the court, with the defence counsel seeking her exemption from appearance on medical grounds.

The judge expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the accused, maintaining that Imaan's application for exemption from appearance would be taken up later.

He remarked that if the accused did not appear in court today, their right to cross-examination would be forfeited. Following these remarks, the court adjourned the hearing temporarily.

After the resumption, Imaan and Chatta both failed to appear before the court, and the defene counsel maintained that Imaan wished to personally cross-examine witness Shehroz during the next hearing.

The court remarked that the cross-examination must be completed, or else the right of cross-examination would be terminated.

President Islamabad District Bar Association Advocate Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar, also appeared in court and requested that the next hearing be fixed for Monday, assuring that no further adjournment would be sought.

The prosecution opposed the request for adjournment, with Prosecutor Rana Usman insisting that the court administer the oath to the witness and commence cross-examination immediately.

This led to a sharp verbal altercation between Bar President Naeem Gujar and Prosecutor Rana Usman inside the courtroom. As the situation escalated, the judge rose from the bench and went to his chamber.