MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 2: Three more officers in AJK including a deputy commissioner Poonch were on Friday sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs3,000 each in a contempt of court case.

The court of district and sessions judge Poonch Bashir Ahmed Mughar announced the conviction under section 228 of Azad Penal Code (APC) after deputy commissioner Poonch Sardar Zafar Mahmood, assistant commissioner Rawalakot Chaudhry Farid Ahmed and tehsildar Sardar Shamim failed to turn up in the court despite the fact that the court notices were served on them.

In default of payment of fine, each will have to undergo an additional imprisonment of one month.

According to a court official, the convicted officers were supposed to appear before the court on December 29 but they claimed they had not received any notices. Later, they were issued fresh notices to appear on December 31 but those too were not complied by them.

It may be recalled here that in all the district and sessions judge had served notices on eight officers of district and divisional administration and police to show cause as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for their involvement in eviction of two members of subordinate judiciary from official residences on Friday last.

Of them, three police officers – SP Sardar Ilyas, ASP Syed Riaz Bukhari and SHO Raja Akhtar – were convicted by him on December 31 under the same section of APC. However, their department is yet to arrest them in compliance with court orders. The court official made it clear that the contempt of court proceedings had been completed against the culpable officers and file was sent by the district and sessions judge to the High Court for adjudication.

Meanwhile the judicial officers continued their pen down strike for the fifth consecutive day on Friday and their association has announced that they would resume work only after the government implements the decisions of district and sessions judge Poonch.

On the other hand, the lawyers are also staging demonstrations to voice support for judiciary.