No one immune to prosecution for contempt: SC

No one immune to prosecution for contempt: SC
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Summary CJ says constitution doesn't provide immunity to any public office holder for contempt of court.

A five-member bench of Supreme Court (SC), comprising Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Tassadduq Hussain Jilani resumed hearing of more than 18 identical petitions challenging the Contempt of Court Act 2012 on Wednesday .Submitting his arguments‚ the counsel of the federation said that legislation is the prerogative of the parliament which cannot be challenged.He said the new contempt of court law does not in anyway undermines the dignity of the judiciary.Chief justice remarked that the law says that few people are exempted from contempt of court no matter what they say in court, adding that parliament introduces a law while judiciary elucidates it.During the proceeding, Justice Jawad S Khawaja said that parliament should work within its jurisdiction, adding that it cannot intervene in the legislative matter of the provinces.Meanwhile, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani said that a law passed by simple majority cannot violate the spirit of the constitution.
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