Supreme Court rejects bail plea of man accused of uploading ex-wife’s photos online

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of Safdar Irfan, an accused facing charges of uploading photographs of his former wife on social media, with the bench making a series of strong observations against him during the hearing.

The case was heard by a three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Shakeel Ahmed and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim.

During the proceedings, Justice Hashim Kakar asked whether the accused had the courage to have the FIR against him read out publicly. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim noted that the images in question belonged to the accused’s own wife, while Justice Shakeel Ahmed remarked that the accused had committed a highly immoral act, adding that he had done so after his wife sought a divorce.

The accused’s counsel told the court that the woman was currently residing in Dubai and that his client had already spent six months in custody.

Justice Hashim Kakar responded sharply. “The accused has left the woman unable to live in this country,” he remarked. “What good deed has he done? This man should remain in custody for the rest of his life.” He went on to observe, “A woman’s dignity is her veil,” adding, “The accused has violated a sacred relationship.” The court also noted that the accused’s mobile phone had been recovered as evidence.

Concluding that bail could not be granted in such a case, the court dismissed the plea. Following the rejection, defence counsel withdrew the case altogether.