IHC rejects Cynthia Ritchie’s plea to stop FIA’s probe

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected US columnist Cynthia Ritchie’s plea to stop the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) probe against her.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition and clarified that the decision of the Session Court did not order the registration of the case but only asked the FIA to investigate.

In this regard, the Islamabad High Court dismissed Cynthia’s appeal declaring it inadmissible. “Court can’t interfere in FIA’s investigation,” the court remarked.  

The Islamabad High Court also ordered the agency to continue its investigation against the US blogger in accordance with the law.

Earlier on June 15, the Islamabad additional district and sessions judge Muhammad Jehangir Awan announced the reserved verdict on PPP Islamabad President Shakeel Abbasi’s petition.

The petition seeks registration of a criminal case against the US blogger for passing extremely derogatory and slanderous remarks about former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The verdict stated, “There is no denial from the accused Cynthia that she created this tweet on social media. Hence, a crime has been committed falling under PECA Act 2016 and FIA is competent to investigate the matter in accordance with the law.”

Earlier, the federal investigation agency had also prayed the court to dismiss the petition, seeking registration of a case against Cynthia Ritchie.