Controversial tweets case: court cancels bail of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha

ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court on Thursday cancelled the bail of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial tweet case, observing that their conduct was deliberately hampering trial proceedings and obstructing a fair hearing.

The order was passed by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka, presiding over the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Court (PECA), Islamabad-West, in FIR No. 234/2025, registered under sections 9, 10, 11 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, at the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre.

In its detailed written order, the court noted that despite repeated opportunities, the accused failed to conclude cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and repeatedly remained absent from court hearings without valid justification, even when witnesses were present.

The court rejected an application seeking exemption from personal appearance for Imaan Mazari on medical grounds, observing that she had remained absent on multiple previous dates citing fever but had failed to submit any authentic medical certificate. The judge ruled that no justification existed to dispense with her attendance again.

The court further observed that although eight defence lawyers were engaged in the case, co-accused Hadi Ali Chattha had insisted on personally conducting cross-examination on behalf of both accused but repeatedly failed to do so. The court recorded that during proceedings, prosecution officials were misbehaved with, and when the prosecutor called a witness for cross-examination, the accused attempted to obstruct the process. The court also noted that the accused had earlier tried to intimidate and assault court-appointed defence counsel and had misbehaved with the court.

Accepting the prosecution’s application, the judge ruled that the conduct of the accused amounted to a deliberate attempt to derail the trial and obstruct the course of justice. Relying on established legal precedent, the court cancelled the bail earlier granted to both accused.

The court ordered the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha and directed the NCCIA investigating officer to arrest them immediately, send them to judicial custody, and produce them before the court via video link.

The court also ruled that due to the conduct of the accused, their right to further cross-examine prosecution witnesses stood terminated. The cross-examination already conducted by defence counsel appointed at state expense was treated as final, and the prosecution evidence was formally closed.

The case has been fixed for January 16, 2026, for recording of statements of the accused under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Speaking to Hum News English after the hearing, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha said that during the proceedings, Prosecutor Rana Usman behaved disrespectfully towards Islamabad Bar Association President Naeem Gujar. He claimed that he asked the prosecutor to remain quiet in response, which led to an unpleasant situation in the courtroom.