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The Islamabad District and Sessions Court has acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Iddat Nikah case. Earlier this year, Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah had declared their marriage un-Islamic during the iddat period and sentenced both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to seven years in prison and fined them 500,000 PKR each.
After completing the hearing on Saturday regarding the appeals filed by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi against this decision, the court reserved its judgment. In the judgment issued by District and Sessions Court Judge Afzal Mujoka, it was stated that if Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are not detained in any other case, they should be released, and their release warrants were issued.
Background of the Case
The case originated when Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s former husband, filed a petition in a local Islamabad court on November 25, 2023. He alleged that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi got married during her iddat period. On February 3, 2024, Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah sentenced both to seven years in prison and fined them 500,000 PKR each. Subsequently, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi filed appeals against this sentence on February 23, 2024.
Court’s Ruling and Reasoning
In the detailed 28-page written judgment, Judge Mujoka noted that Khawar Maneka failed to prove the accusation that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s marriage took place during the iddat period. The judgment mentioned that, according to Khawar Maneka’s lawyer, Maneka was deprived of his right to reconciliation. However, during cross-examination, Maneka admitted that he had learned about Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s marriage the very next day, but only filed a complaint six years later.
Response from PTI and Further Legal Proceedings
PTI, in its appeal against the initial ruling, argued that Khawar Maneka’s petition did not meet legal requirements and incorrectly cited sections 496/496 of the Penal Code. Consequently, they requested the court to nullify the previous decision.
Meanwhile, in another legal development, the police have decided to investigate Imran Khan regarding three cases related to the events of May 9 while he remains in jail. The Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore has approved the request to arrest the former Prime Minister in these cases.
Historical Context and Procedural Developments
On May 23, 2024, Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand had reserved the decision on the appeals against the sentences. Khawar Maneka expressed his lack of confidence in the court, leading Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand to transfer the appeals to another court via a letter to the Islamabad High Court. The High Court then assigned the appeals to Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Mujoka. On June 27, Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Mujoka rejected the suspension of sentences for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the iddat nikah case, upholding the initial decision.
Significance of the Judgment
This acquittal has significant implications for Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and their supporters. It not only clears them of charges in the iddat nikah case but also represents a legal victory for the former Prime Minister amid various legal challenges. The detailed judgment and the legal arguments presented highlight the complexities of the case and the procedural journey it underwent.
Conclusion
The acquittal of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the iddat nikah case brings an end to a contentious legal battle. The case, which revolved around the Islamic legality of their marriage during Bushra Bibi’s iddat period, saw multiple legal maneuvers, appeals, and judicial reviews. As the couple is set to be released, provided they are not held in other cases, this judgment marks a crucial moment in their ongoing legal saga. The case also underscores the intricacies of personal status laws in Pakistan and their intersections with the country’s judicial processes.
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