A local Islamabad court, situated at Adiala Jail, indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on Tuesday in an illegal Nikkah case. The charges were framed by Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah after a complaint filed by Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, Khawar Farid Maneka, under Sections 34, 496, and 496B of the Pakistan Penal Code.
During the court proceedings, Imran Khan and members of the PTI legal team were present. However, the court expressed displeasure over Bushra Bibi’s absence. Despite a request for her exemption, the court rejected it, emphasizing commitment to court proceedings. Both Imran and his wife have consistently denied the charges in the case.
Bushra Bibi appeared at the jail but left before the judge could read the indictment, citing health reasons. Imran Khan, addressing the court, claimed the case was part of the ‘London Plan,’ suggesting a political motive behind the legal proceedings. He questioned the timing of the allegations, stating that Khawar Maneka remembered details “after 6 years when his software was updated.”
The court adjourned the hearing until January 18 and summoned witnesses for the upcoming proceedings. The charges were officially read out against both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal case.
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Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, initiated the case, accusing her and Imran Khan of serious offenses, including marrying without completing the iddat—a compulsory waiting period—and committing adultery. The case has seen multiple hearings, with the court closely scrutinizing the defendants’ attendance and adherence to legal procedures.
This latest development adds another layer to Imran Khan’s legal challenges, with the former prime minister facing multiple cases, including the Toshakhana reference, cipher case, and a contempt case against the Election Commission of Pakistan. The political landscape continues to witness legal battles that may have broader implications on the country’s political dynamics.