SC judge recuses himself from hearing Jang owner’s case

Published October 1, 2020
Editor-in-chief of Geo/Jang Group Mir Shakilur Rahman. — DawnNewsTV/File
Editor-in-chief of Geo/Jang Group Mir Shakilur Rahman. — DawnNewsTV/File

ISLAMABAD: Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who was heading a three-judge Supreme Court bench, on Wednesday recused himself from hearing a post-arrest bail plea filed by Mir Shakeelur Rehman, Chief Executive of the Jang Group of Newspapers.

At the commencement of the case, Justice Bandial said that for personal reasons he would not like to hear the matter and recused himself from the bench.

Justice Bandial, however, referred the matter back to Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed with a request to fix the hearing for next week when counsel Khawaja Haris requested the court to hear the case as early as possible.

The media tycoon, who is under detention since March 12, had moved an appeal against the Lahore High Court’s July 8 rejection of his bail plea.

The National Accountabi­lity Bureau (NAB), director general of Lahore NAB and investigation officer Muhammad Abid Hussain have been named as respondents in the petition.

The petition pleaded that the reopening of a 34-year-old matter relating to plots with respect to which neither the LDA nor any other authority or owner had raised any grievance, inevitably involved considerations extraneous to the law.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...