ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital on Thursday granted post-arrest bail to lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case related to an alleged scuffle with police outside the Islamabad High Court.
ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain approved the bail applications against surety bonds of Rs10,000 each after hearing arguments from both sides.
The couple was arrested last month by Islamabad police in connection with an alleged altercation outside the high court premises, with the case registered at Secretariat Police Station.
During the hearing, defence counsel Riasat Ali Azad argued that the case was fabricated and based on a fictitious incident, adding that even the nominated persons were unaware of the FIR. The court later reserved its verdict, which was subsequently announced, granting bail to the petitioners.
However, the couple will remain in custody as a district and sessions court had convicted them in a separate case related to controversial social media posts last month.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on petitions filed by the couple challenging their conviction. In their applications, they contended that the trial was illegal and arbitrary, seeking suspension of their sentences and release on bail pending the final decision of the appeals.
An additional district and sessions judge had earlier sentenced the couple to a total of 17 years imprisonment each under various provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, along with fines.
According to the FIR registered by the NCCIA, the couple was accused of attempting to incite divisions on linguistic grounds through social media posts.