Anti-Corruption Courts: SC presses for speedy appointment of judges

Govt delayed appointment and bailed many accused, says CJ.


Our Correspondent July 04, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday that a summary had been sent to the prime minister for the approval of judges in the Special Anti-Corruption Courts of Karachi and Hyderabad.


Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – presiding over a three-judge bench – directed Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Aleem Abbasi to issue a notification of the appointment of all the remaining judges. However, the DAG sought an extended time period of two weeks before presenting the notification.

The apex court expressed its dissatisfaction over the 14-month delay in the appointment of a judge in the Central Special Anti-Corruption Court. “Due to the lag, many allegedly involved in serious crimes have been bailed over the expiry of statutory period in jail,” asserted Chief Justice Chaudhry. He added that the government would be held responsible for the damage caused.

The chief justice observed that some influential people in the government had used their power to delay the appointment of judges in the Anti-Corruption Court of Karachi and subsequently managed to get bails from the magistrate courts on technical grounds.

The court also asked the DAG to take action against those who caused delay in the process and adjourned the hearing till July 10 with directions to produce the notifications of appointment of the rest of the judges.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2012.

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