The Islamabad High Court (IHC) took a stern stance on Tuesday by issuing non-bailable arrest warrants against Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, who persistently failed to appear in a contempt case. Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC also served a show-cause notice to Memon, expressing serious concern over his repeated absence.
This legal action stems from a case involving contempt charges against DC Memon, Senior Superintendent of Police Malik Jameel Zafar, Superintendent of Police Farooq Buttar, and Margalla Police Station House Officer Nasir Manzoor. The contempt charges relate to the arrests of PTI leaders Sheharybar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar in September of the preceding year.
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Afridi and Gulzar were apprehended by the police in connection with the violence that occurred on May 9. Despite their subsequent release on August 16 following the IHC’s dissatisfaction with the responses provided by Memon and Zafar, the court maintained its indictment against them. Furthermore, the court dismissed Memon’s petition challenging the indictment and rejected his and others’ unconditional apologies for flouting court orders.
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In a recent development, it was revealed that Memon had been granted leave to travel abroad. Despite this, he failed to appear before the court during today’s hearing on the contempt case. The court, already perturbed by Memon’s absence during previous proceedings, noted that he was already accused in the ongoing contempt case and had previously been issued a show-cause notice in August.
The IHC found Memon’s absence unjustifiable, especially since the hearing was scheduled for final arguments. Consequently, the court ordered the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants for Memon’s appearance on the following day, emphasizing that such actions impede the course of justice. Additionally, the court instructed relevant authorities to place Memon’s name on the Exit Control List, signaling the seriousness of his defiance. Another show-cause notice was directed towards Memon, contemplating punitive measures for his obstruction of justice under pertinent legal provisions.