Hate Speech case: Court to announce verdict on Capt Safdar’s bail plea tomorrow

Captain Safdar's lawyer stated that the case against his client is baseless and should be dismissed.

LAHORE (Dunya News) - A local court in Lahore reserved its verdict on two different petitions, bail plea and physical remand, of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader captain (retd) Muhamamd Safdar in hate speech case.

The local court heard two different petitions today regarding bail plea and prosecution of Captain (retd) Safdar in Lahore. PML-N leader’s lawyer took a stand that the case has been registered against his client on political basis.

The lawyer pointed out that the statement on which Captain Safdar was arrested should also include cases against members of the ruling party.

PML-N leader’s lawyer opposed the request for physical remand instead of judicial remand and declared that the case was baseless and should be dismissed.

Public prosecutors opposed the application bail, stating the provisions of the cases were unwarranted. The government lawyer requested for the physical remand of Captain (retd) Safdar for investigation.

The court processed the petitions and reserved the verdict which will be announced tomorrow.

On Oct 21, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar was arrested in Lahore on October 21.

On Oct 22. the court rejected the police’s request for physical remand of Captain (R) Safdar, and granted judicial remand instead.

He was produced before the district court today. During the hearing, the public prosecutor argued that Captain (R) Safdar was arrested by police in connection with serious allegations of provocative speech.

During the hearing, the government lawyer presented the speech of Captain (R) Safdar to the court. The government lawyer stated that Captain (R) Safdar’s audio and video test is to be conducted, so that’s why a 14-day physical remand should be granted.

PML-N leader’s lawyer, Syed Farhad Ali Shah, said no one could be arrested on their intentions. Before implementing Section 16, the directive of the government is necessary, and the government has not made any notification regarding Captain (R) Safdar’s supervision.

He continued saying that the deputy commissioner can order a written inquiry, but no written order has been issued. "My client has nothing to do with a banned organization. They have been arrested only on political grounds". “Even If accused on a video issue, the police still do not have the authority to arrest him,” he stated.

Capt (R) Safdar said that his wife and Sharif family are attending court proceedings. “In the accountability court, the police tortured women. A case was registered against me when I tried to interfere. I was granted bail but got arrested in another case”, he added.

PML-N leader expressed that he casually said a thing which a friend of his recorded and uploaded on the internet. “I was kept in detention for 24 hours while the FIR was registered in the morning”, he added.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar was arrested in Lahore on late Monday (Oct. 21) night. Muhammad Safdar was taken into custody from Ravi Toll Plaza. According to sources, Captain Safdar was arrested for allegedly delivering a provocative speech.

On Oct. 26, the court rejected the bail plea filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (R) Safdar in the anti-government speech case.

Judicial Magistrate Salman Asif of the district court heard the petition of the PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz‘s husband.

During the hearing, the party’s lawyer Farhad Ali Shah took the stand that the police do not have the authority to register the case. Shah stated that even if a provocative statement was given, the notification would have to be written as per law whereas Captain Safdar was not notified about it.

The lawyer continued saying that his client was arrested in a false lawsuit to prevent him from following his wife’s cases.

After the statements of defendant’s lawyer, the court reserved its verdict, whereas District Public Prosecutor Rai Mushtaq did not appear in the court.

Advocate Shah has announced to challenge the verdict in District and Sessions Courts.

The court, ruling the petition, dismissed the bail appeal of the PML-N leader who was arrested over provocative speech against state agencies on October 22 near Ravi Toll Plaza.