The Lahore High Court has overturned an earlier order directing police to register a case against Rimsha Iqbal, sister of actress Momina Iqbal, giving her significant relief in a continuing legal dispute.
Justice Abher Gul announced the reserved judgment on Rimsha’s petition and accepted her challenge to the order issued by the sessions court.
Rimsha, who works as a lawyer, had approached the high court after the sessions court instructed authorities to register a case against her. The dispute centres on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Saqib Chadhar and allegations involving Rs8 million deposited into Rimsha’s bank account.
During previous hearings, Chadhar’s lawyer told the high court that the amount had been transferred to Rimsha’s account on several occasions. The court questioned the purpose of the payments and asked whether the money was given as a loan or had some connection to a personal relationship.
According to Chadhar’s counsel, the money was deposited because Rimsha was planning to travel abroad and needed to demonstrate sufficient funds in her bank account. The lawyer also claimed that Chadhar and actress Momina Iqbal had previously been engaged.
The court subsequently asked whether there was any written agreement regarding the money. Chadhar’s lawyer said the amount had not been provided as a loan but was instead given as a deposit or entrusted to Rimsha.
Rimsha disputed the claim, maintaining that the money had already been withdrawn from her account in 2022. The conflicting accounts became a key part of the legal proceedings.
The latest judgment follows months of litigation between Rimsha and Chadhar. In September, the high court had called on lawyers for both sides to present their arguments on Rimsha’s petition challenging the proceedings. Replies submitted by Chadhar and Bhowana police in Chiniot district were also placed on the court record.
Dispute Linked to Momina Iqbal Controversy
The case involving Rimsha is connected to a broader dispute involving her sister, actress Momina Iqbal, and Chadhar.
The controversy gained public attention after Momina alleged that she had been subjected to online harassment and death threats. She also referred to a serving PML-N provincial lawmaker in connection with her allegations.
Both parties later appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and recorded their statements. Momina’s allegations were denied, while Chadhar said he had known the actress for several years and challenged the description of their relationship.
The dispute subsequently led to multiple legal proceedings.
In July, the Lahore High Court temporarily suspended a Justice of Peace order that had directed the registration of a case over an alleged Rs8 million breach-of-trust dispute involving Chadhar and Momina. At the time, the court observed that the legal issues raised in the petition required further examination and issued notices to the relevant parties.
Separately, Chadhar and his wife, Samira, also faced proceedings over allegations of harassment and threats involving Momina. Their interim bail proceedings continued as authorities investigated the matter, with the NCCIA also involved in the inquiry.
