You and your wife will have to cross my dead body’, says lawyer

ISLAMABAD: The case registered by the Islamabad Police against a senior lawyer for using offensive language against a Supreme Court judge for a personal matter has been referred to the capital’s inspector general police (IGP) on the direction of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. A reading of the FIR that The News got exclusively shows that words like “moral depravity”, “cross my dead body”, “expose the fraud behind protestations of piety”, “manipulations, connive”, “phone calls be made to the Lahore High Court chief justice”, etc., were used in the SMS sent by Salman Akram Raja, advocate, to Justice Jawwad S Khawaja. When the matter was brought to the notice of the chief justice, he gave a considerable time to the lawyer to respond. When his reply was received, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry directed to send all the relevant documents to the IGP “to proceed in accordance with law”. The FIR (No 159) lodged by the Secretariat Police Station on the written complaint of Ejaz Ahmad Goraya, Assistant Registrar (Admin) Supreme Court of Pakistan, said, “I am directed to inform that on 27-07-2013, Mr Salman Akram Raja, Advocate Supreme Court (ASC), sent a threatening SMS to Mr Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Honourable Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan, as under, ‘You and your wife will have to cross my dead body before this testament to moral depravity functions. I have promised my daughter this. Let your manipulations connive, cause benches to be broken, go ahead phone calls be made to CJ LHC. I will expose the fraud behind protestations of piety.’ It may be mentioned that the spouse of Justice Khawaja and her cousin (Ms Mastoora Ejaz Hameed) have a dispute as to property which was owned by their late grandfather. A civil suit filed by Ms Mastoora Ejaz Hameed relating to this is pending before the competent court. Salman Akram Raja, ASC, had also sent a message to Honourable Judge Mr Jawwad S Khawaja, as under, ‘I have caused you or anybody no harm. Why are you and your wife intent on becoming my family’s oppressor Takabbur. I have always fought and will do in your case. I know your position will enable you to manage things against me. My duty to my family is to stand up for them and what is right win or lose. For when you will be questioned why your neighbours anguish not worthy of your consideration. I can only seek repentance on your wife’s behalf for the anguish you have caused us. May Allah forgive you and your wife.’ It is pertinent to mention here that Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, in a very polite manner, responded to Salman Akram Raja, ASC, as under, ‘Dear Salman, I have received your SMS. Though I am aware of issues between you and my wife’s tenant and with her. I have little interest in the matter. I cannot help the way you think. Our thought about others are a product of how we ourselves think. I have no wish to be your family’s oppressor and wish them well. As for my opinion, it is not to be sullied for personal ends or for any other reason. I pray you are blessed with this understanding and can think in the same way. May Allah bless you and your family with peace and protect you from anguish and torment. I am glad you sent me this SMS. It would have been even better if you had spoken to me.’ The matter was placed before the chief justice who had been pleased to direct for comments of Mr Salman Akram Raja, ASC, be obtained. Accordingly, the above named ASC was requested to do the needful vide this court letter dated 30-7-2013 followed by the reminder dated 12-8-2013. In response whereof the above named ASC has submitted his comments on 7-8-2013, seeking informal evidence before the honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan. The matter was again put up before the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, who had been pleased to grant him seven days more time to submit his version. Accordingly, he was informed vide this court’s notice dated 22-8-2013. The reply submitted by Mr Salman Akram Raja, ASC, on 4-9-2013, was placed before the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, who has been pleased to direct that all relevant documents be sent to IGP Islamabad to proceed in the matter in accordance with law. You are accordingly requested to proceed the matter in accordance with law.” The IGP Islamabad, following the law, ordered the Secretariat Police Station to lodge FIR against Salman Akram Raja under the relevant section of the law. The police, consequently, registered the FIR and initiated investigation. Our Lahore correspondent adds: The Lahore High Court Bar Association on Wednesday demanded immediate withdrawal of a criminal case against senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja at the complaint of Supreme Court judge Justice Jawwad S Khawaja. The bar’s general house on Wednesday passed with thumping majority a resolution tabled by the LHCBA’s president Abid Saqi. The resolution says Lahore High Court Bar Association condemns the registration of a frivolous case against Mr. Salman Akram Raja, a senior lawyer and a member of the legal fraternity. The bar resolved to stand by Mr. Salman Akram Raja and demand the immediate withdrawal of the case filed against him. It said any attempt to arrest Mr Salman Raja would meet the stiffest resistance from the members of the Bar.LHCBA Vice President Ch Ghulam Sarwar Nihung, Secretary M. Baleegh-uz-Zaman Ch and Finance Secretary Usman Sher Gondal were also present on the occasion.