LAHORE- The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday suspended an earlier order by the Lahore High Court (LHC) which had restricted the singer’s counsel from the cross-examination of witnesses.
The apex court directed Ali Zafar’s counsel to submit affidavits of the remaining witnesses within seven days, and instructed Shafi’s lawyer to prepare for cross-examination of witnesses in the same time period.
“After preparation, counsel should try their best to cross-examine all witnesses on the same day,” advised the SC.
The top Court also barred both parties from filing ‘unnecessary’ applications.
The SC order was issued with the consent of both.
The court was informed by Shafi’s counsel that the defense isn’t familiar with all of Zafar’s witnesses, who are also his employees. Zafar’s lawyer, however, stated that none of the witnesses are employed by him.
Justice Faiz Isa also asked Zafar’s counsel what his main objection was to Shafi’s request, to which he replied that according to law, witnesses are supposed to record testimonies and be cross-examined on the same day.
Justice Isa replied saying that it is on the will of the court.
Shafi’s counsel added that if they are provided with a list of witnesses, they will cross-examine them on the day of testimony.
Meesha Shafi had filed a petition in the Supreme Court in April, after LHC rejected her petition to have the statements of Zafar’s witnesses recorded and their cross-examination conducted in separate hearings, instead of turn-by-turn examination.
In April 2018, Meesha Shafi had accused Zafar of harassing her on more than one occasion.
This case is first of its nature which has been filed in the Supreme Court.
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