Court extends physical remand of Fawad Ch for two more days

A judicial magistrate Saturday extended the physical remand of PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry for two more days, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The magistrate earlier reserved the ruling on the police’s petition, hours after a sessions court overturned his earlier decision to send the PTI to jail on a 15-day judicial remand.

Earlier, a local court in Islamabad has accepted the police’s plea against rejection in extension of physical remand of PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a sedition case related to using ‘threatening language’ against the ECP members. 

Setting aside judicial magistrate's ruling, Sessions Judge Tahir Mahmood while approving the police’s application on Saturday ordered to again produce Fawad Chaudhry before the judicial magistrate.

The judge also rejected Fawad Chaudhry’s plea to discharge him from the case.

Earlier, the court reserved its ruling on the police plea after hearing arguments from both sides.  

Advancing arguments, Fawad Chaudhry’s counsel Babar Awan read out all the words Fawad had delivered about Election Commission of Pakistan. He said what crime Fawad had committed. Everyone has the right to criticize the ECP. Why the ECP does not hold elections in Islamabad? Babar said a minister had said they will besiege judges’ home. A member of the Parliament was called tractor and trolley in National Assembly but no action was taken. He said prosecutors and investigation officers were present on court premises in the morning but did not appear before the judge. Babar said when and wherever they will call Fawad, he will respond positively and he will not run away making excuses of deficiency in platelets. 

Taking Fawad to court handcuffed & head/face covered like a terrorist shows the low & vindictive levels Imported govt & State have reached. The treatment of Fawad Ch & Azam Swati & Gill before him leaves no doubt in people’s mind that now we are a banana republic.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 28, 2023

There were exchange of hot words between ECP lawyer and Babar Awan. 

On the occasion, Fawad said only history will determine who was right and who was wrong. He said if ECP officials could not face criticism they should not accept such offices. 

ECP lawyer said Babar Awan was not a witness in the instant case. He said if Fawad records his statement in court there was no need for his photographic test.

Earlier the police challenged the magistrate's decision to reject extension in physical remand of Fawad Chaudhry. 

The sessions court judge conducted hearing of the appeal and asked police to produce Fawad Chaudhry in court.

He said Fawad Chaudhry’s presence in court was mandatory while hearing appeal for grant of his physical remand. 

Superintendent Adiala Jail was also informed about the order passed by the learned judge of the sessions court. 

Reporter Ehtisham Kayani