Judges misconduct: SJC decides recording evidences

To proceed further against IHC judge by recording evidences from March 7

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has decided to record evidences in the case regarding misconduct by a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The judge faces allegations of illegal appointments. Earlier, Judge Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman had resigned over a similar allegation.



Sources told The Express Tribune that a meeting of the SJC, held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, took up cases of a Lahore High Court judge and an IHC judge.

It is learnt that senior lawyer Wasim Sajjad appeared on behalf of the IHC judge. Earlier, a reply was submitted by him over the show-cause notice issued by the council. Now, the SJC has decided to proceed further against the IHC judge by recording evidences from March 7, which is the next date for hearing.

In the matter related to the LHC’s judge, adjournment plea was moved by his counsel Hamid Khan. The same judge has already challenged the SJC’s procedure in the apex court.



Likewise, another IHC judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui also approached the apex court, requesting that proceedings of alleged misconduct against him be conducted in public. The same judge opposed in-camera SJC proceedings against him.

The larger bench is still adjudicating his matter wherein the federal government has also objected to in-camera proceedings by the SJC. Interestingly, attorney general for Pakistan office is opposing open trial of superior courts judges. Currently, the SJC is conducting proceedings of misconduct against two LHC and two IHC judges.