The Lahore High Court has delivered a significant ruling in favor of Pakistan’s leading cricketer, Babar Azam, by setting aside a previous sessions court order that had instructed police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against him on charges of sexual harassment. This development comes after a detailed hearing before Justice Asjad Gharal, who reviewed the petition filed by Babar Azam challenging the legality of the sessions court’s directive.
During the proceedings, legal representatives from multiple parties appeared in court, including counsel for the federal government, the Punjab provincial government, and the complainant, Hamiza Mukhtar. The presence of these parties underscored the case’s complexity and the serious nature of the allegations. Barrister Haris Azmat, representing Babar Azam, presented a strong defense, emphasizing that the initial complaint lodged by the woman in 2018 lacked substantive grounds.
the defense, the complainant had initially filed a baseless application several years ago and subsequently sought financial compensation from the cricketer. When these demands were not fulfilled, she escalated the matter by petitioning the sessions court with accusations of sexual harassment. Barrister Azmat argued that the additional sessions judge had bypassed essential legal procedures before ordering the registration of a criminal case, which he described as a violation of due process.
Following the arguments, the Lahore High Court concurred with the defense’s position, ruling that the sessions court’s order to register an FIR against Babar Azam was unlawful and therefore invalid. This judgment effectively provides the cricketer with relief from the ongoing legal challenge and prevents the initiation of a criminal investigation based on the contested order.
This ruling not only impacts Babar Azam’s personal and professional life but also highlights the judiciary’s role in ensuring that legal standards are upheld in sensitive cases involving public figures. It is worth noting that Babar Azam is one of Pakistan’s most celebrated athletes, and such allegations had attracted widespread media attention, making the court’s decision particularly significant in the public eye.
Meanwhile, the case remains a reminder of the complexities involved in harassment allegations and the importance of thorough judicial scrutiny before proceeding with criminal charges. The Lahore High Court’s verdict underscores the necessity for courts to carefully evaluate evidence and legal criteria before authorizing the registration of cases that can have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved.
