Contempt case: IHC issues charge-sheet against Rana Shamim

ISLAMABAD: Former chief judge of Gilgit Baltistan, Justice (retd) Rana Shamim levelled “scandalous allegations” against the judiciary, a five-page charge-sheet issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the contempt of court case on Saturday said.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah framed charges against Rana Shamim in the case on Jan 20.

Also Read: IHC indicts Rana Shamim in contempt case

The charge-sheet said that the former judge’s affidavit contains “scandalous allegations, casting serious aspersion against the judiciary including Islamabad High Court, which tends to bring the Court into hatred, ridicule and contempt and tends to prejudice the determination of a matter pending before the court and fixed for hearing on 17.11.2021.”

“Rana Muhammad Shamim, not only confirmed to Mr. Ansar Abbasi, journalist, the execution and signing of the above mentioned affidavit dated 10.11.2021 but intentionally chose not to desist him from publishing the same despite your claim in Court that it was a private document.”

“Neither did you initiate any proceedings against Mr. Ansar Abbasi or the notary public for breach of privacy, and counsel client privilege, which conduct shows your intent to publicly ridicule and bring into hatred the Court and the judge of the Court besides undermining and obstruct the course of justice and to prejudice fair trail,” the chief justice said.

He said Shamim was “fully aware of the serious consequences of the alleged incident, yet your conscience remained in deep slumber for over three years and suddenly awakened only to execute the scandalous affidavit and confirm it before publication, at the time when the appeals of the persons mentioned in the document were being heard, which conduct tends to undermine the dignity of the court, bring the administration of justice into disrespect and divert the course of justice.”

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“By your conduct you intend to interfere with, obstruct and prejudice the process of law and due course of pending judicial proceedings, thus you have committed the contempt of this Court within the meaning of Article 204(2) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 (Ordinance V of 2003) punishable under section 5 of the said Ordinance, which is cognizable by this Court. I, therefore, direct that you be tried by this Court on the above said Charge.”