Azma Bukhari fake-video case: court warns of action over courtroom disruption

LAHORE: A Lahore court has warned lawyers and other participants against disrupting proceedings in the fake-video case involving Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari, saying it could restrict courtroom access and take action under criminal procedure law if such conduct is repeated.

Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Naeem Wattoo issued the warning in a written order after proceedings on Wednesday, when Bukhari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javed exchanged heated words during the hearing of a case over the alleged circulation of a manipulated and objectionable video purportedly showing the provincial minister.

The court directed all parties to maintain the dignity and decorum of the courtroom and said open access to proceedings did not mean participants could disrupt the judicial process.

It warned that any repeat of such conduct could invite action under Section 352(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including restrictions on courtroom access.

The order also referred to concerns over inaccurate reporting of the proceedings, including a false claim by a YouTuber that arrest warrants had been issued against Bukhari.

The court directed those covering the proceedings to accurately report what had actually taken place.

On Wednesday, Bukhari appeared before the court and recorded her statement as the prosecution’s first witness. She had earlier sought permission to give evidence through video link, citing security concerns and her responsibilities as a provincial minister, but the request was rejected and she was directed to appear in person.

Bukhari had challenged that decision, but a Lahore sessions court in August upheld the requirement for her personal appearance, saying video-link testimony was an exception and that the accused’s right to cross-examine the complainant in person was an important element of a fair trial.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Bukhari told the court that she was the complainant rather than an accused and described the case as an issue concerning the dignity and honour of a woman.

She said she had come across social media posts on the night of July 24-25, 2024, claiming that a video of her had been leaked.

According to her statement, she subsequently saw a post from Falak Javed’s X account and the alleged video was widely circulated on social media.

Bukhari said she approached the Lahore High Court the following day, where she waited for several hours before her petition was taken up. She said the high court subsequently ordered action over circulation of the material.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) later registered a case on Bukhari’s complaint, naming several suspects, including Falak Javed and Muhammad Shafique.

The case has since moved into the evidence stage. The court had earlier directed the prosecution to produce its witnesses, and Bukhari’s statement was ultimately recorded during Wednesday’s hearing.

Tensions escalated inside the courtroom after Bukhari and Falak exchanged sharp remarks.

Bukhari accused the accused of showing no remorse and objected to the manner in which she was speaking during the proceedings, prompting the court to intervene.

Bukhari also raised concerns about the presence and conduct of people accompanying the accused and asked the court to restrict the attendance of non-relevant people and YouTubers at future hearings.

The minister told the court that she had initially wanted to give her evidence through video link partly to avoid a direct confrontation with the accused and her supporters.

After recording her examination-in-chief, Bukhari asked the court to conduct her cross-examination immediately, saying her responsibilities as information minister made it difficult for her to repeatedly attend court. She also expressed concern that the defence could use adjournments to prolong the proceedings.

The defence, however, sought an adjournment, saying it was the first such request made by the lawyers.

The court granted a final opportunity and fixed September 12 at 10 am for Bukhari’s cross-examination. It directed the defence lawyers to appear fully prepared.

The magistrate warned that if the defence failed to proceed with the cross-examination, the court could consider alternative arrangements, including recording Bukhari’s testimony through video link.

The written order also recorded that a fresh charge sheet had been submitted against co-accused Shahabuddin.

The court framed charges against him after he waived the statutory seven-day notice period.

Shahabuddin pleaded not guilty and opted to face trial.

Applications seeking exemption from personal appearance by co-accused Haider Ali and Tufail Ahmed were also allowed for Wednesday’s hearing.

Falak Javed was produced from custody during the proceedings, while other co-accused appeared on bail.

The fake-video case dates back to July 2024, when material allegedly depicting Bukhari began circulating on social media. Bukhari has maintained that the video was fake and that its circulation amounted to an attack on her dignity.

The minister reiterated after Wednesday’s hearing that personal attacks and character assassination should not be treated as ordinary political disagreement. She said those using fake news, falsehoods and alleged character assassination as political tools would have to answer before the court.

Azma Bukhari seeks cross-examination in presence of accused

Meanwhile, Azma Bukhari said in a statement that she was fully prepared for cross-examination in the fake-video case and had waited in court for the accused to be produced, but the defence counsel again sought an adjournment.

Bukhari said she had requested the court to ensure the accused was brought from jail in accordance with its directions so that her statement could be recorded in the accused’s presence.

“I was fully prepared for cross-examination and waited for considerable time so that the accused could be produced before the court,” Bukhari said in a statement.

However, she said, the accused’s lawyers once again requested that the hearing be adjourned.

According to Bukhari, the court has now given the defence a final opportunity for cross-examination on September 12, 2026 and directed the accused’s lawyers to appear fully prepared. Otherwise, she said, her statement would be recorded through video link.

Taking aim at what she described as YouTubers and a “propaganda cell”, Bukhari said that it was a matter of shame for them that she was seeking only the implementation of the court’s order.

She said that she wanted her statement to be recorded in the presence of the accused in accordance with the judicial order, rejecting any impression that she was attempting to avoid cross-examination.

Bukhari also said that targeting a woman’s dignity through fabricated videos could not be described as political disagreement.

“Women’s honour and dignity cannot be attacked through fake videos,” she said, adding that those involved in spreading fake news and conducting character assassination would have to answer for their actions in court.

The minister said the case should not be portrayed as a political dispute, arguing that the alleged dissemination of fabricated material targeting a woman’s reputation was a separate matter.

The issue of alleged inaccurate reporting and disruption of court proceedings also came before the court during the hearing, according to Bukhari.

She said those responsible for misleading reporting and damaging a woman’s reputation through fake content would ultimately have to face the legal process.