IO's absence in Imaan bail case incenses ATC

The absence of an investigation officer (IO) during hearing of the bail petitions of rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha irked an anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge who summoned a DSP and threatened to send him to jail, in case he failed to satisfy the court. ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain on Monday took up the couple post-arrest bail petitions in a case that includes terrorism charges and violation of Section 144, When the judge asked the court staff about the investigating officer, he was informed that the investigator had not shown up. Expressing displeasure, the judge directed the staff to summon the DSP. "Verbal statements will not be accepted," he remarked as the court took a short recess. When DSP Legal Naeem Yousaf appeared before the court, the judge expressed severe displeasure over the investigating officer's absence and asked where the case record was. When the DSP began speaking in English, the judge told him to speak in Urdu. The DSP said that, according to his information, the investigating officer was out of the city along with the record. The judge expressed further anger. "You should be ashamed," the judge remarked, warning that he could have the DSP stand facing the wall in the courtroom and send him and the SP to jail in uniform for six months if he failed to produce evidence of the investigator's absence from the city. The judge also directed the security officials to ensure the DSP did not leave the court premises without permission. The DSP sought some time to provide the relevant information. He subsequently produced a WhatsApp printout, claiming that the investigating officer was in Gilgit-Baltistan. The judge refused to accept the WhatsApp copy and threw it back toward the DSP, directing him to produce the original document before the court. He again ordered that handcuffs be brought into the courtroom and directed the security in-charge to remain there, saying that if he ordered the DSP's arrest, the DSP should not be allowed to leave. He also instructed the gate security not to let the police officer leave the premises. Addressing Advocate Riasat Ali Azad, the judge said the judiciary should have a "judicial force" capable of ensuring immediate implementation of court orders. "The same system of 1898 and 1860 is still operating," the judge remarked. Later, the DSP submitted a report to the court, stating that the investigating officer was indeed in Gilgit-Baltistan and that his phone was switched off. He said it could take 10 to 15 days to establish contact with the officer. The judge said he would issue a detailed order regarding the absence of the investigating officer. The lawyers requested that the matter be adjourned until Tuesday (today) but the judge adjourned the hearing until October 13, stating that he would pass an order concerning the investigating officer.