ISLAMABAD: Islamabad’s an Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supra on Friday deferred the indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill after he appeared before the court onboard an ambulance and that too on oxygen support.

Shahbaz Gill had to be indicted on Friday in a sedition case registered against him for inciting mutiny within the Pakistan Army. The court had issued a bailable arrest warrant for Shahbaz Gill with a direction to ensure his appearance before the court on Friday.

At the outset of hearing, Gill’s lawyer apprised the court that his client could not be taken out of the ambulance as he was on oxygen mask’s support. The court remarked that it seemed as if the suspect was trying to buy time.

Shahbaz Gill’s counsel then stated that the court had issued arrest warrants for a sick man. The court then marked Gill’s attendance while he remained in the ambulance. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the indictment proceedings till January 20 and directed that the presence of the suspect must be ensured on next date of hearing.

Mr Gill was booked in a sedition and arms recovery case in August last year. A case against Gill was registered at Kohsar Police Station, under Sections 124-A (sedition), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), and of the Pakistan Penal Code.