An Islamabad court on Monday sought arguments on the bail plea of senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case filed towards him.
Gill was once arrested last Tuesday afternoon from Banigala Chowk in the capital a day after making controversial remarks on a private TV channel. He used to be subsequently booked on charges of sedition and inciting members of state establishments in opposition to the Pakistan Army.
A treason case used to be registered against him at the Kohsar Police Station under numerous sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 124-A (sedition), 131 (abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot if rioting be committed; if not committed), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups, etc), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 506 (punishment for crook intimidation), amongst others.
During Monday’s proceedings, Gill’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry appeared in the court of an additional district and sessions judge, who used to be listening to the accused leader’s bail plea.
Chaudhry requested the court to issue a verdict on the plea today (Monday), retaining that his arguments are ready.
At this, the judge remarked that a comparable case is under trial in the Islamabad High Court as well.
Responding to the remark, Faisal maintained that the matter under trial in the IHC is associated to the order of the judicial magistrate and, therefore, this court can hear the case regardless of the case in the excessive court.
“It is a declared law that no one can be stored in jail for a single minute besides reason,” he contended, including that the government wishes to delay this matter on purpose.
At this, the court directed the investigation officer to show up in court with records at 11am, ordered the lawyer to submit a power of attorney on Gill’s behalf, and sought arguments from the parties upon resumption of the hearing at 11am.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has requested the court to preserve the case adjourned.
