Rights group demands Chaudhry face trial NOW — as fears grow he’s quietly offloading assets

• HRCC boss issues stark warning over “concerning” property transfers as controversial businessman’s citizenship saga drags on for YET ANOTHER month

Malawi’s Human Rights Consultative Committee has issued a blistering demand for authorities to fast-track legal proceedings against controversial businessman Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry — amid mounting fears he could be quietly shifting assets while the case against him drags on.

HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba didn’t mince his words, warning that repeated delays in prosecuting Chaudhry were seriously eroding public trust in Malawi’s justice system.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. The allegations leveled against Mr. Chaudhry are serious and the public deserves to see this matter concluded in court without unnecessary delays,” Mkwezalamba declared.

And in an explosive twist, the rights group revealed it had received disturbing reports that properties linked to Chaudhry were being transferred in recent weeks — sparking fears he could be attempting to dodge the reach of the courts.

“We have received information that some properties linked to Mr. Chaudhry have been in the process of being transferred. This raises public concern about possible efforts to defeat the ends of justice or frustrate any potential court orders,” Mkwezalamba warned.

He issued an urgent call for the Financial Intelligence Authority, the Registrar of Companies and the Lands Department to keep close watch over any suspicious transactions while the case remains before the courts.

The long-running question over Chaudhry’s citizenship, meanwhile, remains stubbornly unresolved — with Mkwezalamba expressing frustration that authorities appear no closer to providing clarity.

“More has been said regarding Mahmood Azhar Chaudhry’s citizenship. Ironically, no additional efforts from the state have been made to bring clarity and closure to that question,” he said, urging prosecutors and immigration officials to work together to finally settle the matter transparently.

Insisting the group had no interest in a media trial, Mkwezalamba stressed the HRCC simply wanted due process to run its course.

“We are not calling for trial by media. We are calling for due process, speed, and transparency so that Malawians can trust that no one is above the law,” he said.

Chaudhry faces a lengthy list of serious allegations, including financial irregularities, accusations of tax evasion and misrepresentation in business dealings, fraud linked to obtaining contracts through false pretences, and immigration offences relating to how he acquired his citizenship.

The HRCC boss also hit back at Chaudhry’s legal team, revealing the organisation’s initial intervention had been met with a barrage of media attacks from lawyers acting on the businessman’s behalf.

Mkwezalamba said the HRCC had gone out of its way to meet Chaudhry’s representatives, who promised to hand over evidence supporting his defence — evidence that, more than a month later, has still failed to materialise.

“It is important that Chaudhry’s lawyers must push the court to have themselves cleared as opposed to attacking personalities in the media who are simply following matters of accountability and fairness bordering around nationhood and possibilities of illegal dealing,” he said.

He suggested the roots of the saga lay in a personal dispute, rather than any political vendetta.

“We were made to believe Chaudhry picked an issue with his business partner Batwalala, and instead of sorting their differences, the judiciary and, to an extent, politicians and public officers are being entangled in the fight — hence our desire to see this matter to its conclusion so that he clears his name and image, and pursues any matter with his friends where necessary, outside our systems,” Mkwezalamba said.

The HRCC also confirmed it is still waiting on official documentation from the Pakistani government confirming whether Chaudhry was formally designated as consular staff, rather than a chargé d’affaires as has been alleged, along with letters authorising the use of his home as a consular premises.

Mkwezalamba issued a final pointed message to Chaudhry’s camp, insisting attacks in the media would do nothing to speed up the process.

“Attacking us in the media will not help matters, as we simply want the truth, which will be in Chaudhry’s best interest to have his name cleared fairly, as opposed to having him daily appearing in the media for bad things,” he said.

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