Supreme Court Rejects Petition on Investigation of Islamia University Bahawalpur Scandal

Islamabad:The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, led by Justice Ameenuddin, has declared a petition seeking an investigation into the Islamia University Bahawalpur scandal as inadmissible and dismissed the case.

The six-member bench heard the case, where the petitioner’s lawyer, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutta, appeared in court and stated that the Punjab administration’s inquiry into the matter was unreliable. He further claimed that multiple cases were being brought to him in which students were being blackmailed.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutta argued that Section 354-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which directly deals with the death penalty, should be amended to apply to this case. However, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazher clarified that Section 354 did not apply in this instance.

Justice Jamal Mandokhel remarked that it was not within their power to suggest amendments to the law by Parliament. He further questioned how action could be taken without the presence of the affected parties. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazher inquired whether the lawyer had approached the Lahore High Court under Article 199 for a remedy.

Justice Ameenuddin explained that the Lahore High Court had already conducted an inquiry into the matter, and it had been resolved. Justice Musarat Hilali asked the petitioner’s lawyer what he sought from the court, to which Zulfiqar Bhutta responded that the court should obtain the record from the Punjab government.

The court expressed its displeasure when the lawyer ignored the questions posed by the judges. Justice Ameenuddin remarked that the petitioner was not willing to listen, which hindered further discussion.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazher emphasized that under Article 199, this was within the jurisdiction of the Lahore High Court, and the lawyer should have approached it. Justice Musarat Hilali pointed out that the petitioner would not receive relief from either the Punjab High Court or the Supreme Court in this case.

Ultimately, the court declared the petition inadmissible and dismissed it.