Atiqa Odho Acquitted In Liquor Recovery Case.

Civil Judge Yasir Chaudhary said that no sufficient evidence against the actress came up.

After nine long years, on Friday August 21, 2020, Civil Court Rawalpindi acquitted well-known television artist Atiqa Odho from the charges of carrying two liquor bottles in her luggage at Islamabad International Airport (IIA).

On June 4, 2011, at Benazir International Airport, Odho was restricted allegedly for carrying two foreign liquor bottles in her purse. After the reported intervention of some ‘influential figures’ Odho was released shortly. Afterwards, the news went viral on social media and a Suo Moto notice was taken by then CJP, Iftikhar Chaudhary.

Later, the Airport Police Station was sent a lawsuit by the custom officials, which then registered a case against her under Section 3 & 4 of The Prohibition Order, 1979. After regularly appearing in the case for six months, until the final verdict, the artist was granted immunity from appearing.

In Rawalpindi Civil Court, this was the oldest case which was pending adjudication. It took the change of Judge twice and 174 hearings before the final verdict was given.

Published on Law Recorder Pakistan on August 21, 2020.