Chattha files plea 342, hearing adjourned to Monday in controversial couple’s tweets case
Human rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo archive
Lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha have filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking transfer of their case, alleging lack of transparency on the part of Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka.
The petition was filed during the final hearing of the controversial tweets case in the District and Sessions Court. Mazari reportedly told the judge with a smile: “Give me the seven-year sentence, I’m ready.” Judge Majoka did not respond.
Read: The trial against Imaan Mazari “is not transparent”, the lawyer tells IHC
During the session, the State’s attorney presented his final written arguments. Chattha, representing himself, filed an application seeking filing of a plea under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. He said statement 342 is essentially the defendant’s statement and presented a list of witnesses, proposing that they could testify online if necessary.
Chattha said when the witnesses were questioned, the state attorney was given a questionnaire. “I didn’t trust it,” he added, noting that the questionnaire contained 33 questions that he and Mazari had asked for time to answer. The court said no such application had been made. Chattha also claimed that the 342 reply filed by the state’s counsel did not belong to them.
He said that when they requested the order yesterday they were not given a copy. He added that the case has been heard five times and that three of his requests were dismissed.
Read more: Imaan Mazari opposes the withdrawal of the state prosecutor from the tweets case
The court issued notices to the public prosecutor regarding Chattha’s application.
District Bar Association President Naeem Gujar, Islamabad Bar Association Member Raja Aleem Abbasi and High Court Bar Association Former President Riyasat Ali Azad attended the hearing. Lawyers present in court reportedly raised slogans, prompting Judge Majoka to leave the courtroom.
The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
