War of words: Court proceedings halted after argument between judge, lawyer

Senior lawyer reportedly swore at judge

ISLAMABAD: Proceedings at Islamabad district courts came to an abrupt halt on Saturday morning following a heated argument between a judge and a senior lawyer.

According to officials, lawyer Muhammad Ilyas Siddiqui swore at Judicial Magistrate Humayun Dilawar after the judge questioned why the lawyer was not wearing the proper attire.

Siddiqui appeared before the court wearing plain clothes. However the judge mistook him for a litigant and inquired where the lawyer was. As a result, Siddiqui remarked how the judge could not recognise him when he has been in the profession for decades. The judge told the lawyer to follow the dress code.

Court officials said the lawyer objected and during his arguments he swore at the judge. The judge then asked the counsel to leave the courtroom.

Soon after the incident, Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) announced to observe one-day strike in protest against “unfair treatment meted out to Siddiqui”. Most of the lawyers heeded the bar’s call and boycotted the courts.

Talking to The Express Tribune, IBA President Syed Mohammad Tayyab blamed the judge for the episode. He said the judge also swore at the lawyer.

“Even if the lawyer had misbehaved, the judge should have informed the sessions judge and the bar. There have been several cases where   judges have complained against lawyers and the bar took action against its members,” said Tayyab. However, Siddiqui refused to talk about the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2016.