ISLAMABAD: A district court on Thursday cancelled the bail of lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in a case related to controversial social media posts, citing repeated non-appearance of the accused and disorderly scenes during the proceedings.
The case, registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, alleges that the accused used social media to incite divisions on linguistic grounds and to create the impression that the armed forces were involved in acts of terrorism within the country.
The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammed Afzal Majoka, with Prosecutor Rana Usman appearing on behalf of the state. At the outset of the proceedings, neither Mazari nor Chattha appeared before the court. An assistant counsel sought an exemption for Mazari, informing the court that Chattha was engaged in contempt proceedings before the Islamabad High Court.
Expressing displeasure over the absence of the accused, the judge observed that the request for exemption would be considered later and warned that continued non-appearance could result in the revocation of their right to cross-examination. The court then adjourned the hearing until 12 noon.
When proceedings resumed, Chattha appeared and informed the court that Mazari wished to personally cross-examine the prosecution witness, Shahroz, insisting that she intended to put questions herself rather than through counsel. Judge Majoka directed the defence to proceed with the cross-examination and warned that failure to do so would lead to termination of that right.
During the hearing, Islamabad District Bar Association President Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar also appeared before the court and requested that the case be fixed for Monday, assuring the judge that no further adjournment would be sought. He submitted that Mazari was unwell but remained keen to conduct the cross-examination personally.
The prosecution strongly opposed the request for adjournment, urging the court to administer the oath to the witness and commence cross-examination immediately. The situation escalated when a heated exchange broke out between the prosecutor and the bar president, with harsh remarks exchanged on both sides, plunging the courtroom into disorder.
As tensions rose, Judge Majoka rose from the bench and retired to his chamber, ordering a break in the proceedings. After the break, neither Mazari nor Chattha appeared before the court once again. The prosecutor alleged misconduct in the courtroom and questioned the conduct of the bar association leadership.
Taking note of the repeated absence of the accused and the overall circumstances, the court cancelled the bail granted to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, ordered their arrest and production before the court, and formally revoked their right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. The court also directed that statements of the accused be recorded under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till today.
