ISLAMABAD: Reiterating his stand on presidential immunity, Aitzaz Ahsan said that although many people dislike President Asif Ali Zardari, he is still an elected leader and hence cannot be presented before any court of law.

The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing of the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The seven-member larger bench including Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Asif Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Ajaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ajaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmad and Justice Athar Syed was hearing the case.

Ahsan, the prime minister’s counsel, argued that under the Article 10A of the constitution the sitting bench was not eligible to hear the case.

He said transparent proceedings required that no person can be judge in his own case. In reply, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that no single person but the whole bench was using its right to hear the case.

Justice Khosa said that all proceedings regarding contempt of court cases were only completed by the court.

Talking to the media outside the Supreme Court building, Ahsan said that after imposition of Article 10A, the century old law regarding contempt of court has been changed.

The case is not related to corruption and his arguments were very simple, he added. The court has adjourned the hearing till April 13 and Ahsan is expected to conclude his arguments till Wednesday.