Islamabad: An anti terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the investigating officer and the police's failure to produce the case record during the bail hearing of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha.

ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain summoned DSP Legal Naeem Yousuf after being informed that the investigating officer was out of the city.

During the proceedings, the judge repeatedly questioned police officials about the officer’s whereabouts and demanded documentary evidence rather than relying on verbal explanations.

The DSP later told the court that the investigating officer had travelled to Gilgit Baltistan and presented a printout of a WhatsApp message as evidence. The judge declined to admit the printout and directed the police to produce the original document.

The judge also warned that the DSP and the superintendent of police could face up to six months in jail if they did not produce the required record. At one point, the court ordered that handcuffs be brought into the courtroom and instructed security officials not to allow the DSP to leave without permission.

Defence counsel Riasat Ali Azad told the court he was prepared to present detailed arguments on the couple’s bail applications. He argued that, apart from the terrorism provision, the other sections in the FIR were bailable and that the bail proceedings should not be delayed due to the investigating officer’s absence.

The prosecution maintained that the investigation record was unavailable because it was in the investigating officer's possession.

The court subsequently adjourned the bail hearing to October 13, with the judge saying a detailed order would also be issued on the investigating officer’s absence.

Their latest detention followed a Supreme Court decision on September 17, which suspended their sentences in a separate case involving controversial social media posts and ordered their release on bail pending a decision on their appeals.

However, hours after their release, Islamabad police arrested the couple again in connection with the separate protest case. An ATC subsequently rejected the police request for physical remand and sent them to jail on judicial remand.

The couple’s bail applications in the protest related case remain pending.