IHC rejects contempt of court petition against Fawad Chaudhry

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday rejected the contempt of court petition against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry.

IHC Justice Babar Sattar declared the petition inadmissible. “The court decisions are criticised here every day. Should we leave all the work and start listening to the contempt petitions?” he remarked.

Salimullah Khan, the petitioner’s counsel, appeared before the court in person. He argued before the court that Fawad Chaudhry had made defamatory statement against Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

“Fawad Chaudhry has said that it is not possible to punish Imran Khan for contempt of court. He also made statements against the entire judiciary including the chief justice,” he added.

“An action over contempt of court should be taken against Fawad Chaudhry due to his insulting statements,” the petitioner’s counsel pleaded with the court.

“What kind of a contempt of court action can be taken?” the court inquired from the lawyer.

“A criminal contempt of court action should be taken against Fawad Chaudhry,” he replied.

“An action over contempt of court can be taken over two types of statements. Criticism of judgments through political statements does not constitute contempt of court,” Justice Babar Sattar remarked.

“The case you are referring to is already under hearing before a larger bench,” he added.