High Court records show Leevan’s contempt appeal took 11 days to reach judge’s section

The High Court has accepted the appeal filed by journalist Leevaan Ali Naseer over his contempt‑of‑court conviction, but records show the case took 11 days to reach a judge’s section.

The delay surfaced after the High Court on Tuesday rejected Leevan’s request to be released on bail while awaiting its decision.  

The bench unanimously declined to issue the bail order. Two of the three judges, Hussain Mazeed and Ibrahim Mahir, held that Leevan could not be released as requested because he had already completed his sentence. The third judge, Deebanaz, found that the matter did not fall under any bailable provision.

The ruling reveals that the case remained in administrative limbo for 11 days before being forwarded to a judge. Leevan was jailed for contempt of court, for violating the Criminal Court gag order related to the Aisha documentary, on May 12. According to the High Court registry, he filed his appeal on May 17.

The court noted that the bail request was submitted on May 17. The appeal was formally registered on May 20, five days after filing.

Two days later, Leevan was released after serving his sentence. The case reached the judge’s section on May 31, 11 days after registration.

The appeal remains active and is now scheduled to proceed.