Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz (C) waves to members of the media as he leaves after appearing before the Supreme Court in Islamabad, June 12, 2012. — Photo by Reuters

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the contempt of court case against property tycoon Malik Riaz, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Athar Saeed heard the case.

A show-cause notice was issued on June 13 to Riaz for hurling allegations at Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry at his press conference of June 12.

The bench concluded the hearing and the decision to indict Riaz for contempt is expected to be taken tomorrow.

Riaz’s counsel, Advocate Dr Abdul Basit, said that he and his client had accepted the show-cause notice and that the trial should be conducted under the new law for contempt of court.

He further said that the new law on contempt of court “had voided the show-cause notice”.

Basit said his client had clearly stated that he respected the Supreme Court and the chief justice and that he had not been provided any relief by the court.

The counsel moreover said that there was “no need to take action” in the show-cause notice.

Justice Jan remarked that the notice was issued precisely because there was the need to take action.

As to what law would be taken up to proceed on the issue will be decided tomorrow, Justice Jan said, adding that the court would decide tomorrow whether or not to indict Riaz for contempt of court.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned to Friday (July 13).