Defense lawyer says this is the first time in legal history that a new indictment has been filed after an acquittal
Imran Khan gestures as he addresses his supporters during a rally, in Lahore on April 21, 2022. Photo: Reuters
ISLAMABAD:
An unusual development occurred at the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad on Tuesday when police presented a fresh charge sheet against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, despite his previous acquittal in the same case. However, the court dismissed the case.
Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence in Adiala Prison in a £190 million corruption case. Additionally, he faces ongoing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) related to the May 9, 2023 protests.
The case, for which a fresh charge sheet was presented in court today, was registered at the Tarnol police station in connection with the Azadi march. These were alleged violations during the Haqeeqi Azadi March – a protest march organized by the PTI in November 2022 following the ouster of the Imran-led government.
The hearing was conducted by Judicial Magistrate Shahzad Khan, with lawyers Sardar Musroof Khan and Zahid Bashir Dar appearing on behalf of the PTI founder.
The defense lawyer commented on the unusual nature of the case, stating that it was the first time in judicial history that an accused had been acquitted, but a new indictment was filed.
In response, the judge asked the defense to present the previous court order for review. The lawyers submitted the acquittal order, after which the court conducted a detailed review of the file and the indictment, finally dismissing the case based on the earlier acquittal.
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In June 2024, a district and sessions court in Islamabad acquitted Imran, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other party leaders in two cases of vandalism during the Haqeeqi Azaadi March. The cases filed against the PTI leadership were dismissed for vandalism and violation of Article 144.
PTI leaders Ali Muhammad Khan and Asad Umar appeared before the court while all others filed an acquittal plea. In a sigh of relief for party leaders facing multiple cases, the court acquitted the PTI leaders.
The Golra police station had also booked the leaders of the former ruling party for violation of Section 144 imposed during the PTI’s Azadi March.
