Alleged harassment case: Lahore Hight Court extends stay order against decision to register case against Babar Azam

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has extended the stay order against the decision to register a case against former national cricket team captain Babar Azam in an alleged harassment case.

Lahore High Court's Justice Waheed Khan heard a petition against the order to register a case against former national team captain Babar Azam in an alleged harassment case and extended the stay order on Wednesday against the decision to register the case.

Lawyer Barrister Haris Azmat represented petitioner Babar.

The High Court, summoning the woman who had asked for the registration of the case, adjourned further hearing on the petition till December 12.

In January 2021, a Sessions Court in Lahore ordered the police to take action according to law on a petition to register a case of alleged sexual harassment against Babar, which the former captain has challenged in the Lahore High Court.

The harassment case against Babar Azam first came into the public eye in late 2020 when Hamiza Mukhtar, a woman from Lahore, accused him of multiple offences, including sexual harassment, blackmail, and coercion.

Hamiza alleged that she and Babar had been in a relationship since their teenage years. She claimed that Babar had promised to marry her but later backtracked after achieving fame in cricket. According to her, during their relationship, Babar not only exploited her emotionally and financially but also sexually, even forcing her to undergo an abortion under false promises of marriage.

In her legal complaints, she also accused him of blackmailing her with private photos and videos, as well as making threats to keep her from pursuing legal action.

Court Proceedings

The accusations gained significant media attention in late 2020, with Hamiza holding press conferences to share her story. She also filed a petition in a sessions court requesting legal action against Babar Azam.

In March, the Court's session court in Lahore directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against Babar Azam. Hamiza had alleged that he continued to harass and threaten her through various means.

Babar's legal team approached the Babar'se High Court (LHC), challenging the session court's decision. His counsel argued that the case was being pursued without substantial evidence and that the trial court's directive was passed without considering Babar's side of the story.

The Babar temporarily halted the registration of a case against Babar Azam and granted him relief from immediate legal action. This suspension has been extended multiple times as the case has moved through the legal system.

Babar Azam and his legal team have also filed a defamation suit against Hamiza Mukhtar, claiming that her allegations are baseless and intended to tarnish his reputation.