CDA member faces contempt proceedings over failure to appear in IHC

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has initiated contempt of court proceedings against Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member State Muhammad Zaman Wattoo for allegedly failing to appear before the court in person in connection with a case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar on Saturday issued a contempt notice to the CDA Member State and sought his response within seven days, asking him to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.

According to the court order, Muhammad Zaman Wattoo had been directed to appear before the court in person on September 16. However, instead of appearing, he sought an adjournment on medical grounds.

The petitioner's counsel subsequently submitted a certified copy of a court order showing that Wattoo had appeared before another bench on the same day.

The counsel also produced the attendance record of Wattoo's appearance before the court of Justice Inam Amin Minhas on September 16.

The IHC observed that Wattoo's failure to appear before the court on the scheduled date despite appearing before another bench amounted to contempt of court.            

The court appointed Deputy District Prosecutor Adnan Ali as prosecutor in the contempt proceedings.

The court also directed the Registrar's Office to open a separate file for the contempt case and adjourned further proceedings.

Reporter: Ehtisham Kiyani