The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi on Thursday forfeited surety bonds of Aleema Khan worth Rs.2.0 million in FIR No. 3393, registered at Sadiqabad police station in connection with the November 9 protest case.
During the hearing, neither Aleema Khan nor any counsel representing her appeared in court.
The case was called twice, but the accused and her lawyer remained absent both times.
The Prosecutor Zaheer Shah submitted that the accused had furnished surety bonds of Rs.2.0 million with the only condition that she would appear whenever summoned.
No application, written or verbal, seeking exemption from attendance was moved, nor did the accused or her lawyer show up.
He requested the court to forfeit the bonds.
Accepting the prosecution’s request, the court ordered forfeiting of the Rs.2.0 million surety bonds, issued notices to both sureties for recovery of the amount, issued bailable arrest warrants and also issued a contempt of court notice under Section 37of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for repeatedly failing to deposit witnesses’ expenses despite clear court directions on the previous three to four hearings.
The court adjourned till Monday, December 15.
IHC adjourns Shandana Gulzar’s plea
Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday adjourned hearing on a petition seeking termination of two FIRs against PTI leader Shandana Gulzar registered by National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The hearing was postponed due to the unavailability of petitioner’s lawyer.
The assistant lawyer told the court that senior counsel is unable to appear before this court due to his engagements in Peshawar High Court (PHC).
The court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing until after the winter vacations.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard two applications of Shandana Gulzar. NCCIA officials also appeared in the court during the hearing.