The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday rejected cleric Agha Iftikharuddin Mirza's apology on threatening top court's judge Qazi Faez Isa and issued a contempt notice to him, directing that he may respond within the next seven days and appear personally on the next hearing.
During the proceedings in the case, Justice Ahsan asked the court if such a [derogatory] language could be allowed and whether an apology should be acceptable, Dawn reported. The report added that Chief Justice Gulzar Gulzar Ahmed observed there was "no room for mercy" in the case. The top court also noted that the accused had a monetised YouTube channel.
Justice Ahsan added that "such words [as used in the video] are even used in the streets," and added that the "video was planned." Justice Gulzar also said the accused could be sent to jail for six months for his act.
On Wednesday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed an interim report in the Supreme Court, stating cleric Agha Iftikharuddin Mirza, who had threatened Justice Qazi Faez Isa and others judges has denied doing so on anyone on anyone's direction or instigation.
The FIA also said the cleric had deleted the video from the online platforms, and added it approached the internet service providers (ISPs) to inquire about the content. The cleric is already in the custody of the agency until July 6.
On Tuesday, the cleric tendered an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court. In response to the notice, Mirza submitted an unconditional apology wherein he surrendered himself at the mercy of the court. The apology stated that he unintentionally uttered some words against the judiciary and judges in a ‘private meeting’.
The threats came days after the top court quashed a presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa and ordered an end to the proceedings against him in the Supreme Judicial Council. It also asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to hold inquiry into the properties of Justice Isa’s wife and children and submit the report to SJC within 75 days.
During the proceedings in the case, Justice Ahsan asked the court if such a [derogatory] language could be allowed and whether an apology should be acceptable, Dawn reported. The report added that Chief Justice Gulzar Gulzar Ahmed observed there was "no room for mercy" in the case. The top court also noted that the accused had a monetised YouTube channel.
Justice Ahsan added that "such words [as used in the video] are even used in the streets," and added that the "video was planned." Justice Gulzar also said the accused could be sent to jail for six months for his act.
On Wednesday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed an interim report in the Supreme Court, stating cleric Agha Iftikharuddin Mirza, who had threatened Justice Qazi Faez Isa and others judges has denied doing so on anyone on anyone's direction or instigation.
The FIA also said the cleric had deleted the video from the online platforms, and added it approached the internet service providers (ISPs) to inquire about the content. The cleric is already in the custody of the agency until July 6.
On Tuesday, the cleric tendered an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court. In response to the notice, Mirza submitted an unconditional apology wherein he surrendered himself at the mercy of the court. The apology stated that he unintentionally uttered some words against the judiciary and judges in a ‘private meeting’.
The threats came days after the top court quashed a presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa and ordered an end to the proceedings against him in the Supreme Judicial Council. It also asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to hold inquiry into the properties of Justice Isa’s wife and children and submit the report to SJC within 75 days.