ATC Rebukes Police Over Missing Record in Imaan Mazari, Hadi Bail Case

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad strongly rebuked police officials on Monday over the absence of the investigating officer and failure to produce the case record during bail proceedings involving lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.

ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain was hearing bail petitions filed by the couple in a protest-related case when the court was informed that the investigating officer was out of the city.

The judge summoned DSP Legal Naeem Yousuf and repeatedly sought documentary evidence explaining the investigating officer’s absence and the whereabouts of the case record.

The DSP initially told the court that the investigating officer was outside Islamabad. He later said the officer had travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan and presented a printed copy of a WhatsApp message to support the claim.

The court refused to accept the printout and demanded the original document.

The judge expressed strong displeasure over the handling of the proceedings and warned that the DSP and superintendent of police could face up to six months in jail if the required record was not produced.

At one stage, the judge ordered handcuffs to be brought into the courtroom and directed security personnel not to allow the DSP to leave without permission.

The court also criticised what it described as the lack of an effective judicial enforcement mechanism for implementing court orders.

Defence counsel Riasat Ali Azad told the court that he was prepared to present detailed arguments on the bail applications.

He argued that all sections in the FIR, apart from the terrorism provision, were bailable and maintained that the bail proceedings should not be delayed because of the investigating officer’s absence.

The prosecution maintained that the investigation record was unavailable because it was with the investigating officer.

The court subsequently adjourned the bail hearing until October 13, while the judge said a detailed order would be issued concerning the investigating officer’s absence.

Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were rearrested on September 17 shortly after the Supreme Court suspended their sentences in a separate case involving controversial social media posts.

Their latest arrest relates to a case registered at Islamabad’s Kohsar Police Station over a protest.

The FIR includes allegations of blocking roads, chanting anti-government slogans, obstructing public servants and other offences. The terrorism provision was not included when the case was originally registered but was subsequently added.

The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings and have not resulted in a final determination of guilt.

The latest hearing centred on the police’s handling of the investigation record rather than a decision on the merits of the couple’s bail applications.