SC declares Imran Khan’s arrest illegal, release orders issued later PTI chief reached Supreme Court after a three-member bench ordered the authorities to produce him before the court.
The three-member bench containing Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah along with the CJP, whereas hearing the previous prime minister’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, called Imran Khan’s arrest by Rangers from inside the courtroom “illegal” and ordered his immediate release.
The court ordered the PTI chief to appear in Islamabad High Court tomorrow.
Previously, the court ordered National Accountability Bureau and Islamabad IGP to produce Imran Khan within 30 minutes earlier the court which meant he presented in the court at 4:30 PM. Still, police said security measures caused postponement in his appearance before SC.
The legal team of Imran Khan controlled by Hamid Khan appeared before the court in the morning. Hamid Khan in his arguments before the SC said that Imran Khan came to IHC for bail but he arrested from the court premises.
My client was in the room for biometrics where he arrested by the personnel and later violation the room.
SC bench head, CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial questioned how a person arrested from the premises of the court. People come to courts for justice, he added.
He asked how many people came to arrest Imran Khan. 80 to 100 Rangers personnel arrived the court premises and arrested him, Salman Safdar replied.
“Where will the prestige of the court stand when Rangers personnel enter its premises?”
Contempt of court reports carried out in the past over destruction in the court beside lawyers in the past, the CJP remarked.
He said that permission taken from the Registrar IHC before arrest from the court premises.
The top judge stated NAB shamed the judiciary by arresting Imran Khan from the court premises.
He said National Accountability Bureau (NAB) committed such acts in the past too later and officials make an apology and guaranteed him the same thing will not happen again, but it was repeated again.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed everyone should feel protected on the court premises. SC declares Imran Khan’s arrest illegal. We will repair the respect of the court. Contempt of court will not be tolerated, we will issue an order in the case today, the CJP remarked.
Justice Athar Minallah in his remarks said NAB has been doing such acts for several years. NAB had been arresting selected representatives with disgrace.
This is not the way to respect the court, Justice Minallah added. NAB has not learned any lessons from the past.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, the additional member of the bench, asked Imran Khan’s lawyer why his client did not join NAB’s inquiry. It is perfect that Imran Khan has not acted on NAB notices.
Has Imran Khan not dishonored the law, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked. Imran Khan replied to every notice of the NAB, the PTI chief’s lawyer replied.
Afterward being called, NAB Prosecutor General Asghar Haider appeared earlier in the court. The SC bench asked how the compliance with the warrant done. I’m unaware of the matter and will update the court.