Apex Court indicts state minister Tallal Chaudhry for contempt case

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court indicted State Interior Minister Tallal Chaudhry in a contempt of court on Thursday for his anti-judiciary speeches.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan headed the three member bench and the court took up the case against the minister and framed charges under Article 204 and contempt of court law 2003.

Tallal Chaudhry was present in the court while charge sheet was read and he pleaded not guilty to charges.

In today’s hearing counsel for Chaudhry filed a petition and requested the court to delay the indictment. The counsel said that indictment was a stain and requested to not indict his client today in the case; in reply, Justice Ejaz Afzal remarked that the case could be withdrawn even after the indictment if not proved.

later the court adjourned the case until March 27.

Earlier on Wednesday, the apex court postponed indictment of the state minister in the contempt case for one day on his counsel’s request.

Tallal Chaudry appeared before the court and pleaded the court to hear his arguments before the indictment, to which, Justice Ejaz remarked that the accused can plead his case after framing of charges. The judge added that they did not want to waste their time.

On Feb 1, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Mian Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of the anti-judiciary speeches by PML-N leader Tallal Chaudhry.

The case was initiated after Chaudhry was seen launching a tirade against judiciary at the ruling party’s recent rally in Jaranwala where PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz also criticized Supreme Court and judges.