The new lawyer for Imran Khan, also known as 'King Khan', has now filed an application in the High Court to vacate Khan's guilty plea that he had entered last Thursday.
Khan has been convicted of one count of contravening a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act after he had pleaded guilty.
His lawyer, Shayal Kant says the amended notice of motion will be heard on June 23rd in the High Court.
The amended notice of motion is seeking orders that Khan be granted leave to withdraw his plea of guilty entered on June 11th, that the conviction entered against him be vacated and set aside, that Khan be permitted to enter a plea of not guilty to the charge, that the matter be remitted for a trial, that the sentencing be stayed pending the determination of this application.
Imran Khan has also said in an affidavit that prior to entering the plea, he did not fully understand the true nature of the charge or the consequences that would arise from a criminal conviction.
Khan says that his previous counsel explained to him that the matter was largely civil or regulatory in nature and did not appreciate that by pleading guilty, Khan was admitting criminal liability.
He says he did not fully understand the seriousness of the charge, the effect of a conviction upon his personal and professional life, and the legal consequences flowing from a plea of guilty.
40-year-old Khan had transferred a vehicle, which was subject to a High Court restraining order, to his brother.
The initial restraining order also included a $400,000 property, cash currently held at a local bank and four vehicles.
When earlier questioned by High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe about the consequences of his guilty plea, Khan had said he understood them.
He also told the court that he was pleading guilty of his own free will and that no threats, force or promises were made.
Khan remains in custody.
