The investigator tells the court that he has neither full knowledge of the case nor the investigation
KARACHI:
An additional district and sessions judge on Friday expressed anger over missing evidence and ordered the police to record the statement of YouTuber Rajab Butt in a case related to the alleged insult of Islamic symbols.
At the start of the hearing, the defense lawyer informed the court that the investigator in charge of the case had died, which prevented the accused from joining the investigation. The court then summoned the investigating officer (IO) of Hyderi police station and adjourned the hearing at 11:30 am.
When the hearing resumed, the presiding judge expressed anger at the IO over the absence of the recorded statement and relevant evidence. “Where is the complete file and relevant evidence? » asked the judge.
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The judge also questioned why the accused’s statement, which had been ordered to be recorded in the previous hearing, was not available.
The investigating officer told the court that he had no complete knowledge of the case or the investigation carried out. The court then ordered the SSP Investigation Central to record the statement of the accused, Rajab Butt.
During the proceedings, an exchange of words took place between the defense lawyer and the judge. The defense lawyer said no order had been made regarding his Section 196 application, calling it an illegal act.
The judge responded that the proceedings would not proceed according to the lawyer’s wishes and indicated that in case of doubt, a request to transfer the case could be filed.
Later, the judge adjourned the hearing until April 24.
The case against Rajab Butt was registered at Hyderi Market police station. In December, he was attacked by a group of lawyers at the Karachi Municipal Court after a hearing in a similar case.
The attack took place after Butt appeared before an additional district and sessions judge, who heard his bail application but adjourned the proceedings without any substantive orders.
