In the famous Iddat Nikah case, a court in Islamabad acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, dismissing the charges against them. The case revolved around allegations that the couple married during Bushra Bibi’s iddat period, a compulsory waiting period for a woman to observe after a divorce before marrying again, according to Islamic law.
Background of the Case
The Iddat Nikah case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi has a complex background involving political, legal, and personal disputes. Initially, a mysterious person, Muhammad Hanif, who remains unidentified, lodged a complaint of fraudulent marriage. Later, the petitioner withdrew his plea, and a district and sessions court in Islamabad rejected the petition as “inadmissible.”
On November 25, 2023, Khawar Maneka, the ex-husband of Bushra Bibi, filed a similar complaint against the “un-Islamic marriage” of his former wife with Imran Khan in the court of Civil Judge Islamabad. The allegation was that the couple contracted marriage during her iddat period.
Interestingly, in September 2023, Khawar Maneka was arrested by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) from Lahore on charges of illegally building a marriage hall on a four-kanal plot of land in a cemetery without any approval. Later, on November 14, 2023, the Lahore High Court allowed Maneka post-arrest bail.
Merely ten days after his release, the former husband of Bushra Bibi approached for redressal of his grievances. It is equally interesting to notice that he was represented by the same counsel Muhammad Hanif engaged earlier.
Court Proceedings
Civil Judge Qudratullah conducted the trial, declared the Nikah fraudulent, sentenced the couple to seven years in prison, and imposed a fine of Rs500,000 each. The trial was conducted swiftly, with the judge aiming to complete the case before the General Elections in 2024.
Court Decisions
The case witnessed multiple hearings and legal manoeuvres. At one point, the Islamabad High Court directed the district court to decide on the pleas seeking suspension of the sentence within ten working days and main appeals within 30 days. On July 13, 2024, Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka acquitted Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, dismissing the charges against them.
Public Reaction
The case attracted substantial public and media attention, with various civil society groups, women activists, and legal experts criticizing the initial conviction.
Will Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi be Released from Adyala Jail?
Although legally free, the government is unlikely to release Imran Khan immediately. Rana Sanaullah Khan, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs, indicated that the government intends to keep him in custody for as long as possible.