IHC issues notice against dismissing Shahbaz Gill’s sedition case

• Shahbaz Gill sought dismissal of sedition case against him
• The court also heard case against the rejection of Gill’s physical remand
• Court issued a notice to police and adjourned hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday heard the case by PTI leader Shahbaz Gill seeking the dismissal of the sedition case filed against him and granting an extension in his physical remand.

Shahbaz Gill had moved the court against the sedition case filed against him, accusing the police of booking him at the federal government’s behest. He sought dismissal of the FIR lodged against him, claiming that the case is based on malice to satisfy a political agenda.

IHC acting Chief Justice Amir Farooq heard the case seeking the dismissal of the sedition case. Advocate General Islamabad Jehangir Jadoon has also filed a separate petition against a lower court’s decision against rejecting the extension of Gill’s physical remand and sending him to jail.

During the hearing, the presiding judge remarked that the accused belongs to a political party but the court will only look at legal aspects. The court restrained all lawyers from making all political statements in court.

The judge said a decision will be made on the maintainability of the petition seeking physical remand which is not given by a high court. He said the police is responsible for investigation and a magistrate should supervise the case. “The suspect is the court’s favourite child. It is not the high court’s responsibility to decide on granting physical remand,” he remarked.

The lawyer for Shahbaz Gill said the high court cannot intervene in granting physical remand and police investigation. The judge replied the court is hearing the merits of the case and the maintainability of the petition.

In his arguments, Advocate Shoaib Shaheen said Shahbaz Gill’s statement was taken out of context and action was taken against him. He said earlier a similar case was registered against Advocate Imaan Mazari on the government’s behest which was later dismissed. He said federal ministers have issued harsh statements against state institutions.

The court issued a notice to police on the dismissal of sedition case against Shahbaz Gill. The court sought a reply from IG Islamabad, SSP and SHO Kohsar police. The court reserved its verdict on the admissibility of the federal government’s petition against the rejection of an extension in the Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand.

Gill was arrested last week from Banigala Chowk in the federal capital, a day after making controversial remarks on a private TV channel. He was subsequently booked on charges of sedition and inciting members of state institutions against the armed forces.

A district and session court had earlier dismissed an appeal seeking an extension in Gill’s physical remand. He was arrested on August 9 and remanded in police custody till August 12. The court rejected the extension of physical remand and sent him on judicial remand to Adiala Jail.

Also Read

IHC seeks arguments against dismissal of Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard the federal government's...