Iman Mazari Case: Judge Calls for Handcuffs to Arrest DSP in Court

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge on Monday ordered handcuffs to be brought into the courtroom to facilitate the possible arrest of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) during proceedings in cases against Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha.

ATC Judge Abu Al-Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain was hearing bail petitions filed by Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in cases related to alleged violation of Section 144 during a protest and terrorism charges.

The judge expressed severe displeasure over the absence of the investigating officer and summoned the DSP concerned to appear in person.

During the proceedings, lawyer Riasat Ali Azad argued that all sections of the FIR, except the terrorism provision, were bailable. He said the court had already rejected the prosecution’s request for physical remand of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha.

When the DSP appeared before the court, the judge questioned him about the case record and expressed anger over the investigating officer’s absence.

The DSP told the court that the investigating officer was out of the city. The judge questioned why the DSP had appeared without the complete record and warned that he could send the DSP and the SP to jail for six months if they failed to provide the required information.

The judge also reprimanded the DSP for speaking in English and directed him to communicate in Urdu.

The court subsequently ordered that handcuffs be brought into the courtroom and directed the security in-charge to remain present. The judge instructed the security official not to allow the DSP to leave the premises if an arrest order was issued and told security personnel at the gate to prevent him from leaving.

The court gave the DSP some time to produce the required report and briefly adjourned the proceedings.

Later, the DSP submitted a report stating that the investigating officer was in Gilgit-Baltistan and that his phone was switched off. He said it could take 10 to 15 days for the officer to return and that further information could not be provided until contact was established.

Defence counsel Riasat Ali Azad criticised the prosecution, saying the FIR was an old case and that the court should not have to wait for the investigating officer’s record in a bail matter involving bailable offences.

Judge Abu Al-Hasanat said he would issue a detailed order, including directions regarding the investigating officer’s unavailability.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until October 13.