ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Justice Irfan Saadat of the Supreme Court directed the attorney general to treat suspects in May 9 mayhem case as human beings.
The judge gave the direction while hearing plea against the decision to annul the trial of civilians in military courts.
A larger seven-judge bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, is conducting the proceedings. Other judges on the bench are Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Irfan Saadat and Shahid Bilal.
At the outset of the hearing, Attorney General Mansoor Awan submitted that there was no impediment of meetings of family members with the accused. There was some issue in Lahore, where Hassan Niazi is held, he said and added that he has talked to the authorities to streamline arrangements for meeting of the family with Niazi.
Justice Mandokhail said that if the investigation is completed, why the accused in judicial custody?
The matter is over, treat the accused like human beings, he observed.
Justice Mazhar addressed the attorney general that he informed the court that the families meet the accused every week. Why don't you continue the practice, he said and told the attorney general that his statement in this regard was part of the court record.
Advocate Latif Khosa submitted that one accused was not allowed to meet his family despite the fact that his five-year-old child had died. On it, the attorney general assured the court that the families would meet the accused today. Hafeez Ullah Niazi would also meet his son today, he continued.
Justice Mazhar inquired him whether court order is required on every hearing.
Justice Mandokhail asked him if the physical remand of the accused has ended, why are they not in jail? The attorney general replied that judicial remand is not given to accused in military courts trials.
On this, Justice Mandokhail summoned the focal person?
Director Law Brig Imran appeared before the court and submitted that a phone number has been given to the families of the accused.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.
In October last year, a five-member bench had declared null and void the trial of 102 civilians involved in the May 9 incidents in military courts.