New Delhi: A trial court on Saturday handed seven-year sentences to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a case pertaining to “un-Islamic” marriage, Geo News reported.
The court pronounced the verdict a day after the hearing of the case was conducted inside Adiala jail premises for 14 hours. Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah passed the judgment.
The court ruling in the case was related to the petition submitted by Khawar Maneka, the former husband of Bushra Bibi, against what he alleges to be an un-Islamic and unlawful nikah (marriage) with the former prime minister.
The cross-examination of statements provided by the four witnesses involved in the case has been concluded so far. Additionally, the statements of both Imran Khan and Bushra BIbi, under Section 342, have been recorded, Geo News reported.
Bushra Bibi, currently housed at Banigala following its designation as a sub-jail, is scheduled to be brought to Adiala for the final hearing. The verdict will be delivered in the presence of the PTI founder, Bushra Bibi, and their respective legal representatives.
Final arguments were presented by the complainant's counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, as well as the lawyers for both Imran Khan, represented by Salman Akram Raja, and Bushra Bibi, represented by Usman Gul a say back, Geo News reported.
According to reports, Khawar Maneka registered a case alleging that Bushra Bibi violated the Islamic practice of mandatory pause or ‘Iddat’ between two marriages.
He also accused his Bibi and Khan of being in an “adulterous relationship” before marriage, a crime punishable by death by stoning.
However, Bishra Bibi declared that the divorce certificate of November 14, 2017, was fake and claimed that she completed her mandatory ‘iddat’ period from April to August 2017 after a verbal triple talaq from Maneka in April 2017.
As per reports, Bushra Bibi’s marriage with Imran Khan was solemnised on January 1, 2018.