Summary
- Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain directed that the case record be presented before the court on the next date so that arguments on the bail pleas could proceed.
- The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until September 3, when arguments on the post-arrest bail applications of the 96 accused are expected to be heard.
- The accused are seeking release on post-arrest bail while the prosecution is required to present the relevant record and arguments before the court.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has sought arguments on the post-arrest bail applications of 96 suspects arrested in connection with a protest related to Kashmir in the federal capital.
The court, headed by ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail applications filed by the 96 accused on Tuesday. However, arguments could not take place because the case record and the investigating officer were not available before the court.
During the hearing, the prosecution informed the judge that the case record and the investigating officer were currently at the Islamabad High Court. As a result, the prosecution said it was unable to present its arguments on the bail applications.
The court gave the prosecution another opportunity to produce the relevant record at the next hearing. Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain directed that the case record be presented before the court on the next date so that arguments on the bail pleas could proceed.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until September 3, when arguments on the post-arrest bail applications of the 96 accused are expected to be heard.
The case relates to protests held in Islamabad over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Police had registered a case at Shalimar Police Station in Islamabad against protesters, invoking provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The arrests and subsequent bail proceedings have drawn attention because of the large number of suspects involved in the case. The latest hearing did not address the merits of the bail applications, as the prosecution’s record was not available before the court.
The court is now expected to hear arguments from the relevant sides on September 3. The availability and presentation of the case record will be an important part of the proceedings.
The development comes amid continued legal proceedings related to the Islamabad protests over the situation in Kashmir. The accused are seeking release on post-arrest bail while the prosecution is required to present the relevant record and arguments before the court.
Further proceedings on the bail applications will take place when the Anti-Terrorism Court reconvenes on September 3.
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