Five-member larger bench issues order while hearing Imran\u2019s petition to restrain another police operation at Zaman Park
\n LAHORE
\nThe Lahore High Court (LHC) Tuesday barred the Punjab police from \u201charassing\u201d PTI Chairman Imran Khan, instructing them to ensure that the former premier was treated as per the law.
\nThe orders were issued by a five-member bench as it took up Imran\u2019s petition seeking to restrain authorities in Punjab from launching a police operation at his Zaman Park residence or arresting him on the basis of an \u201cundisclosed\u201d first information report (FIR) when the courts get closed.
\nThe plea, filed by Barrister Salman Safdar and Advocate Azhar Siddique, was heard by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannun and Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq.
\nImran\u2019s lawyer Salman Safdar told the court that cases were being lodged against his client one after the other. \u201c80 cases have been registered against Imran Khan in Punjab only,\u201d he said. \u201cCourts can look into the ill-use of authority by police and we want the bench to do the same in this matter too.\u201d
\nAt that, Justice Najafi said that he had expressed displeasure over the situation outside Zaman Park earlier as well. The judge was referring to the three-day-long police action outside Imran\u2019s residence last month. The operation had resulted in violent clashes between officials and PTI supporters, leaving dozens injured.
\nDuring the hearing today, the PTI chief\u2019s lawyer said that his client had received credible information regarding another operation outside Zaman Park during the Eid holidays. \u201cGive us relief for five days,\u201d he requested, saying that \u201cfor five days the doors of the court will be closed\u201d.
\n\u201cThe doors of justice are never closed,\u201d Justice Najafi replied. For his part, the Punjab government\u2019s lawyer, Ghulam Sarwar, asked the PTI chairman to present evidence supporting his claim in court. \u201cThe law is equal for everyone \u2026 this petition has been filed merely on the basis of concerns,\u201d he said, pointing out that there was nothing on record regarding an operation. Sarwar went on to say that the law would take its course if a criminal act was done. \u201cCan you give a statement that no action will be taken in old cases [registered against Imran?\u201d Justice Sheikh asked, to which the lawyer replied that action in cases in which legal proceedings were underway would continue.
\n\u201cLet\u2019s ask the same question from you in another way \u2026 will you let them [Imran] celebrate Eid at home?\u201d Justice Najafi inquired. Sarwar replied that a joint investigation team had been formed to probe cases against Imran and it could not be stopped from working.
\nHere, Justice Neelum said: \u201cYou cannot even touch the petitioner if he is on bail \u2026 we are not asking you to stop any legal proceedings.\u201d The lawyer then assured the court that legal proceedings could not be resumed in cases in which bail had been granted, adding that the police would only act as per the law.
\n\u201cWe are saying the same that nothing against the law should be done,\u201d Justice Neelum stressed. Meanwhile, Justice Rafiq said that as per the law investigation in a case could be halted if there was no fear regarding the suspect absconding. \u201cThis authority only lies with the investigation officer,\u201d the lawyer replied.
\nAt one point during the hearing, the PTI chief came to the rostrum. He said that he hadn\u2019t broken a single law in his life yet hundreds of cases had been registered against him. \u201cKhan sahab, we have heard these things before \u2026 say something new,\u201d Justice Najafi said.
\nPTI chief then stated that the Punjab police had attacked his house even after Justice Sheikh of the LHC had stopped them. \u201cFrom what their lawyer is saying, it is confirmed that they [the Punjab government] will attack Zaman Park again.
\n\u201cSir, has this ever happened before? My house was attacked for 26 hours,\u201d Imran recalled. However, Justice Najafi remarked that \u201cwe don\u2019t think an operation will take place in the [upcoming] five to six days\u201d.
\n\u201cWhatever happens, if it does, will be as per the law,\u201d the Punjab government\u2019s lawyer said here, to which Justice Neelam said that such statements increased the concerns of the petitioner. The court then reserved its verdict on Imran\u2019s and later stopped the police from \u201charassing\u201d Imran. The proceedings have been adjourned till May 2. \u2014 DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Five-member larger bench issues order while hearing Imran\u2019s petition to restrain another police operation at Zaman Park LAHORE The Lahore High Court (LHC) Tuesday barred the Punjab police from \u201charassing\u201d PTI Chairman Imran Khan, instructing them to ensure that the former premier was treated as per the law. The orders were issued by a five-member […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":326704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-326685","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n