ISLAMABAD: District and Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand retreated to his chambers after a courtroom disruption on Wednesday, following complainant Khawar Manika’s expression of no confidence in him.
The judge exited without delivering the anticipated verdict on appeals by Imran Khan, PTI’s founding chairman, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, regarding their sentences in the Iddat case.
Outside the courtroom, PTI lawyers confronted and slapped Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, Khawar Manika.
Earlier this year, Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 0.5 million each, following a trial held in jail. They were convicted of “contracting marriage during the ‘Iddat’ period” of the former first lady.
The case originated from a complaint by Bushra’s former husband, Khawar Manika, who accused her of violating the Islamic waiting period, or Iddat, before marrying Imran. He also alleged they had an adulterous relationship prior to their marriage.
The Iddat period is mandatory for Muslim women following the death of their husband or the end of their marriage. Imran and Bushra challenged the ruling in an Islamabad district and sessions court.
During the proceedings, Bushra’s lawyer, Usman Riaz Gill, argued that Manika lodged the complaint six years after the alleged violation. Previously, a similar complaint by Muhammad Hanif was dismissed by the court in May 2023. Gill pointed out that Manika’s complaint was unauthentic, as it was only a photocopy.
Gill asserted that Bushra completed the Iddat period before remarrying, claiming the divorce occurred in April 2017. Deputy District Prosecutor Adnan Ali countered that completing the Iddat period was essential for the marriage’s validity. He argued that Manika and Bushra had a happy 28-year marriage until Imran’s involvement led to their divorce.
Ali also noted that the defense did not present videos from Manika’s daughters, who opposed Bushra’s marriage to Imran.
