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Meesha Shafi requests change in judge in the defamation case Ali Zafar filed against her

Meesha's lawyers have filed a transfer application in a Lahore sessions court today

04 May, 2019

Meesha Shafi's legal team has filed a transfer application in the Lahore sessions court today, in which they express their lack of confidence in Additional Sessions Judge Shakeel Ahmed who is currently presiding over the defamation case Ali Zafar has filed against her. The application seeks a change in the judge presiding over the case.

In their application, Meesha Shafi's legal team claims that the judge has been displaying partiality towards Ali Zafar and was assisting his witnesses during the recording of their statements. The application further states that the judge has been behaving in a hostile manner with her lawyers and fined them Rs 10,000 as well.

Speaking to Images, Meesha's legal representative Ahmed Pansota said, "The transfer application has been filed on multiple grounds, but the crux of it is that we were not very comfortable with the way the judge was conducting the proceedings. He was coaching the witness, he was slightly interfering, he was not following the due procedure and process as ascribed under the law."

"A judge has a very limited role in the cross-examination," Pansota explains. "If he starts instructing the witness, it becomes difficult for us to sift out the truth from [the witness]. That is the whole purpose of a cross examination. If he's been constantly told and instructed not to speak in a particular manner, in essence you're helping the other side's case. I'm not saying it's a deliberate attempt on [the judge's] part, because I'm not sure about that, but it's certainly not the way the judge should have conducted the proceedings."

Pansota added, "Then, there were a few words that [the judge] had used in his order while confirming the stay order such as 'bizarre' among many other words. Overall, we're not satisfied with his conduct. It is our right under the law to transfer our application if we feel that the judge is not conducting the trial in accordance to the law. We've exercised that right."

The defamation suit filed against Meesha Shafi by Ali Zafar has now being adjourned till May 11.

Comments

Joe May 04, 2019 04:07pm

All of these are delaying tactics. Meesha should face the consequences of false allegations.

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Mk May 04, 2019 04:28pm

She should be provided Justice

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Parvez May 04, 2019 04:52pm

Brave woman ....... hope justice is done.......looks unlikely but your effort is commendable.

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Talha May 04, 2019 06:51pm

Delay tactics by Meesha Shafi. She wants judgement in her favor without giving proofs. What a shame.

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Aleem May 04, 2019 08:05pm

If you dont like the decisions change the judge

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Fatima May 04, 2019 08:44pm

Keep making excuses meesha.its better to apologise

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Must learn May 05, 2019 02:49am

Is she that important that on her wish judge be changed, if next again she did not like the male judge, she may again ask for female judge. She may be asked to obey court orders, or still not agreed, she has liberty to appeal at higher courts. She must refrain to make mockery .

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Must learn May 05, 2019 02:51am

@Aleem . Like changing TV Channels if programmes not liked.

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nk May 05, 2019 03:33am

This case is a defining moment for our society and ou rjudicial system. It will define how we as a society treat our women. We all know that women undergo harassment at work places, at public places and sometimes even at their homes and a vast majority of them don't dare to speak up as it is considered a taboo in our society. The victims of harassment are told to keep quiet as it will not bring them anything but dishonor and shame. In this particular case Messha Shafi had decided to speak up and unfortunately the way our society is treating her, I am afraid that no other woman will dare to speak up against harassment in future. Meesha, no matter what happens in the court of law, we salute you for daring to break the silence and speak up. Thank you!

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Pakistan first May 05, 2019 05:06am

Just one word drama.

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Ahsan Iqbal May 05, 2019 06:12am

Person found guilty of fake cases should be sentenced to jail for a long time.

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Anonymouseee May 05, 2019 02:51pm

Shame shame Meesha Shafi.

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Sana May 05, 2019 04:16pm

@Joe I concur. Anything that comes from her seems fake and made up

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Laila May 05, 2019 04:42pm

@Talha you clearly didn't read the article. She requested change in judge because the current judge has not shown impartiality. She is entitled to a fair trial. If the judge is partial he can not serve on this trial. Stop shaming victims.

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Riaz Uddin May 05, 2019 05:56pm

Meesha has right of access to fair, objective anf mon partison justice she can go any available forum. If she genuinely feels reasonable apprehension.of bais from the present trial.court she can bring a motion .for transfer of assault case to another court. She can exercise her option to this effect. To.do so is her inalienable right to which she is legally and morally entitiled . It is a strategy in pursuit of justice and not a delaying tactics.

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Daskalos May 05, 2019 07:16pm

Meesha Shafi has no evidence or proof at all against Ali Zafar. She and her legal team are only milking this whole farcical situation to get maximum publicity and carry out an unfair media trial. The LHC should reject her unreasonable demands and end this whole sordid drama and dismiss the whole case once and for all.

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Brar May 05, 2019 09:14pm

It’s very difficult for Mesha to prove this. The law should be changed such that the Defamation Section should not be used when a woman shouts in agony and frustration at being harassed and the other guy threatens her with defamation. As long as it’s a known fact that men are always trying to take advantage of women we should disallow the use of Defamation Section.

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Sadaf May 05, 2019 11:23pm

Judges require judging. Not a big surprise there in the world where Trump chooses his own judges.

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Ahmed May 07, 2019 05:32am

You can't pick and choose judges just because you are a celebrity.

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