The case proceedings continued for ten and a half hours. The court recorded the statements of three witnesses         Former prime minister Imran Khan (centre) with his wife Bushra Bibi (left) arrives to appear at a high court in Lahore on May 15, 2023. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: The courtroom looked like a battlefield on Thursday where the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were seen fighting and dressing down Khawar Manika during the hearing of illegal marriage case in the Adiala Jail.

It seemed the court had concluded the case for final decision but Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah adjourned further hearing till Friday (today).

The case proceedings continued for ten and a half hours. The court recorded the statements of three witnesses.

Bushra Bibi’s lawyer completed cross-examination of the statements of Aun Chaudhry and Khawar Farid Manika. Bushra’s lawyer Usman Gul will complete cross-examination of the statements of two witnesses, Mufti Saeed and Muhammad Latif, on Friday (today).

Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja will also cross-examine the statements of witnesses today.

Bushra’s lawyer Usman Riaz Gul also fought with Manika during the cross-examination. Usman charged towards Manika to punch him.

“I will pick you up and throw you out,” Gul threatened Khawar.

“We both are ready to take oath on the Holy Quran but Khawar Manika should also do the same,” Imran said while addressing the judge. He told the court that he saw Bushra on the day of their marriage.

“You are lying. Fear God. You have ruined my house,” Khawar Manika retorted.

The court told the PTI founder that after taking the oath, his right of cross-examination will be over. The court wrote the order that the right of cross-examination of the accused will end after taking the oath on the Holy Quran.

Imran refused to take oath and said, “We will take oath and we will also be interrogated.”

“You cannot take an oath. You have offered to take an oath to a witness,” the judge said.

The court order was withdrawn from the PTI’s lawyers.

After the interrogation was over, the PTI founder once again demanded oath on the Holy Quran for himself and Bushra Bibi.

“I want to put my hands on the Holy Quran and say that I have never had an illicit relationship with Bushra Bibi. I want to clear my wife,” said Imran.

“The court cannot take any decision and pronounce sentence without my statement. A hypocrite and satan have been called evil in the Holy Quran,” Bushra Bibi said.

Khawar Manika also came before the judge and locked in a bitter conversation with Bushra. “The children are tired of asking questions but you did not answer. The little daughter wakes up at night and cries. They destroyed my home and children,” Manika cried.

Meanwhile, in her first-ever talk with the media on the jail premises, Bushra said she had made no deal and submitted no request for her transfer from Adiala Jail to Banigala.

The former first lady said she was told that they were taking her to a rest house.

“I was ready to be taken where the authorities concerned wanted me to. I myself surrendered to the authorities by coming to the jail. I am no coward. We’re brave, courageous people. I am a firm believer in God. It does not bother where they want to keep me. Banigala has been made a sub-jail, which is no hotel. I still insist, if somebody still thinks it’s part of the deal, then they can revoke it,” said Bushra.