Arsalan Chaudhry Financial Corruption Case: Neutral Prosecution or Point Scoring Drama?

Arsalan Chaudhry Financial Corruption Case: Neutral Prosecution or Point Scoring Drama?

In an historic move, Chief Justice of Pakistan Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry summoned his own son, Dr. Arsalan Ifthikar Chauhdry, over allegations levelled by the media that he was involved in financial corruption with Bahria Town Chairman Malik Riaz.

Taking suo motu action upon learning about the allegations that were becoming hot in various circles around the country, the CJ summoned his own son along with Malik Riaz to the court.

It is believed that Arsalan Ifthikar is involved in receiving Rs.300 to 400 million for the sake of assuring Malik Riaz of leniency towards his cases going on in the Supreme Court nowadays, which include allegations against the property tycoon of land grabbing and such fraudulent activities.

Arsalan Ifthikar, while talking to media, denied some of the allegations while accepting others and terming them to be “personal business deals” with Malik Riaz. Critics around the nation are wildly springing to conclusions, which should not happen until the due process of law is completed.

But, there are a few concerns in such cases that raise various questions in the minds of many.

Summoning his own son is definitely an unprecedented step by the Chief Justice, but will hearing it himself really leave it credible?

Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir objected to the Chief Justice hearing the case of his own son and has prayed that a bench be created in without the CJ presiding over it for the proceedings to be considered neutral.

But in response, the Chief Justice noted that it is against the code of conduct but will be hearing it anyways, which obviously does raise questions.

Some analysts also regard the whole situation to be one that will help cleanse the Chief Justice of his PCO status and allow people to believe in his fair dispensation of justice while on the other hand, Arsalan Ifthikar is notorious for securing just 16/100 marks in his English CSS exam and still enjoying a public post.

The hearings have begun from Wednesday and it was not surprising to see that Malik Riaz did not appear in court despite being summoned. Arsalan Ifthikar was present with his lawyer.

It will definitely be interesting to see how this entire scenario plays out in the upcoming days.

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Posted by Syed Hassan Bokhari on Jun 6 2012. Filed under Editorial, Latest News, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.