ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Friday decided to frame charges against business tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain on July 16 in the contempt of court case for ridiculing the judiciary.A three-member bench, headed by Justice Mian Shakirullah, observed that prima facie, the case was fit for further proceedings; therefore, the charges would be framed with the attorney general (AG) acting as prosecutor in the case, adding that the deputy attorney general would be the prosecutor, if the AG was not available.The court also rejected an oral request by Malik Riaz’ counsel Dr Abdul Basit regarding his client personal exemption from the proceedings and directed him to ensure his presence in the hearings until the court decided otherwise. Justice Shakirullah, however, asked the learned counsel to submit an application to the court, clearly mentioning what kind of exemption his client sought.Earlier, Basit pleaded before the bench his client came to Pakistan for the case despite the fact that his medical treatment was underway abroad; therefore, he should be allowed to go back, adding that medical check-up was conducted even before court martial. Basit submitted that Riaz should be exempted from the appearing before the court or the hearing be adjourned for at least two weeks.Directing him to formally submit his application for the purpose, Justice Shakirullah Jan observed that the decision would be made in this regard after framing of the charges.Later, hearing of the case was adjourned till July 16.It is to be noted that Malik Riaz Hussain in written reply has offered unqualified and unconditional apology for ridiculing the judiciary in his June 12 press conference.He submitted that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on June 12 made observations in the open court, which could be construed as directions to involve him in a murder case.“These observations are beyond all legal parameters. These could have ruined Bahria Town. Since the respondent (Malik Riaz) was denied the opportunity to explain his position in court, he lost self-control,” he contended.