ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday issued contempt of court notice to Din TV and fixed the matter for hearing for November 28.
The court also contradicted and condemned the contents of the news package. The channel had aired a news item on November 18 alleging that a private meeting between Justice Amir Hani Muslim and PML-N Senator Nehal Hashmi held regarding Panama leaks.
Justice Muslim is on the five-member larger bench which is hearing Panamagate case.
In a statement issued by the SC’s spokesperson, it is clarified that the news item is totally false, baseless, concocted, stage managed and figment of the mind of the reporter.
“Such misleading stories based on character assassination campaigns and casting aspersion on character and conduct of any dignitary through media trial are condemnable that sensationalize a non issue. Therefore, the news package is condemned in the strongest possible words,” the statement added. The note stated that the news channel has maliciously tried to malign the judge and brought on media something which has never happened.
“This amounts to a dirty attempt to tarnish the image of this August Court which is extremely damaging for the judiciary as a whole,” the note stated. The channel has deliberately tried to create sensationalism by claiming that it has succeeded in getting this news exclusively and by doing so the channel has created suspicion in general public about an issue of national importance which is sub judice before this court, the note stated.
The note added that such act is a clear case of contempt within the meaning of Article 204(2) (b) of the Constitution, read with Section 3, 4 and 17 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 (V of 2003).
Further, it is a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the court as the news package has been uploaded on the social media which has elicited unwarranted comments from the public.
“The airing of such news on TV channel about a sub judice matter is nothing but to malign the institution of judiciary and to bring the Hon’ble Court and Hon’ble Judges into hatred, ridicule or contempt. It further tends to prejudice the determination of a high profile case,” the note said.