Chattha submits 342 statements, hearing adjourned until Monday in controversial couple’s tweets case
Imaan Mazari, human rights lawyer and social activist, and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo file
Lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha have filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking transfer of their case, alleging lack of transparency on the part of Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka.
The petition was filed during the final hearing of the controversial tweets case in the district and sessions court. Mazari reportedly told the judge, smiling: “Give me the seven-year sentence, I’m ready.” » Judge Majoka did not respond.
Read: The trial against Imaan Mazari “is not transparent”, his lawyer tells IHC
During the hearing, the State’s Attorney presented his final written arguments. Chattha, representing himself, filed an application seeking submission of statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. He said Statement 342 was essentially the statement of the accused and submitted a list of witnesses, offering that they could testify online if necessary.
Chattha said when the witnesses were cross-examined, the state attorney was given a questionnaire. “I didn’t rely on it,” he added, noting that the questionnaire contained 33 questions that he and Mazari had requested time to answer. The court said no such request had been made. Chattha also claimed that the 342 response submitted by the state’s attorney did not belong to them.
He said when they requested the order yesterday, no copy was provided. He added that the case had been heard five times and three of their applications had been rejected.
Learn more: Imaan Mazari opposes prosecutor’s withdrawal from tweets case
The court issued notices to the prosecutor regarding Chattha’s request.
District Bar President Naeem Gujar, Islamabad Bar Member Raja Aleem Abbasi and former High Court Bar President Riyasat Ali Azad attended the hearing. Lawyers present in court reportedly raised slogans, prompting Judge Majoka to leave the courtroom.
The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
