Judge who convicted Imran made OSD
News Desk :
Judge Humayun Dilawar, who sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana criminal proceedings case earlier this month, was transferred from the post of additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) on Friday.
According to a notification issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Judge Dilawar – a Grade 20 officer, serving as the ADSJ (West), Islamabad – was made an officer on special duty (OSD), on the instruction of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, reports Express Tribune.
The judicial officer was made OSD on a on a newly created post in the IHC, the notification said. It added that the IHC chief justice had transferred the judge to the new post in public interest.
“The Hon’ble Chief Justice of this Court [IHC] has been pleased to make following transfer/posting of Additional District & Sessions Judge … in the public interest,” the notification said, mentioning the name of Judge Humayun Dilawar below.
“The Judicial Officer shall join his new assignment with immediate effect,” the notification added.
Judge Dilawar, who recently attended a judicial conference at a university in Britain, had been directed to report to the IHC.
On Aug 5, Judge Dilawar had sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to three years in jail and a fine of Rs100,000 in the Toshakhana criminal case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Judge Dilawar was removed from his position following a letter he sent to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Aug 17, expressing concerns about his safety.
The move came after Judge Dilawar faced criticism and harassment from the PTI supporters subsequent to delivering the verdict in the Toshakhana case.
This backlash extended even during his stay in the UK, where the PTI activists protested against him.
According to sources, upon returning to Pakistan from Britain on Aug 16, Judge Dilawar promptly wrote to the IHC registrar the next day.
In the letter, he detailed his apprehensions regarding personal security.
He cited a social media campaign that emerged both during and after the trial, which resulted in substantial threats originating from various individuals worldwide.
Also read: Judge who convicted Imran faces harassment by PTI supporters in UK.
Judge Dilawar highlighted that the threats extended to his family in his hometown and disrupted his children’s schooling due to security concerns.
He also mentioned that while attending a training session at the University of Hull during a visit to the UK, he and his fellow judicial officers faced unsettling incidents.
In light of these circumstances, Judge Dilawar requested a transfer to an alternate posting, ideally within special courts located at the Judicial Complex G-11 or the Islamabad High Court.
After the PTI challenged the Toshakhana case decision in both the IHC and the Supreme Court, the latter expressed concerns regarding the trial’s fairness.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heading an SC bench, noted potential flaws in Judge Dilawar’s handling of the trial.
However, the apex court decided to await the IHC’s verdict on the appeal before making its own ruling.
