Judicial council refuses to halt proceedings against IHC judge

SJC refuses to halt proceedings against IHC judge

ISLAMABAD:  

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has refused to stay proceedings against an Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge till the final decision on his constitutional petition, wherein he seeks an open trial.

The SJC issued another show-cause notice to Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui for questioning the role of the ‘constitutional institution’ in the matter related to the Faizabad sit-in last year.

Last month, the SJC had issued a show-cause notice to the IHC judge over two different complaints, filed by MNA Jamshed Ahmad Dasti and Kulsum Khaliq, alleging that the judge had given unwarranted comments against army officials for playing their role in ending the Faizabad sit-in.

The IHC judge in an order issued on November 27, 2017, had questioned the role of army officials in striking an agreement between the federal government and protesters (Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah).

The SJC, while entertaining their complaints, asked the judge to file a reply on March 7.

On Monday, Justice Siddiqui moved an application with the request that till the final decision of his constitutional petition by the apex court, the proceedings against him in this matter should be stayed.

However, the council on Wednesday declined the IHC judge's plea and asked him to appear in person along with written explanation on March 13.



Meanwhile, the council took up the alleged misconduct case against another IHC judge.

Senior lawyer Wasim Sajjad appeared on behalf of the IHC judge. Sources told The Express Tribune that three prosecution witnesses testified in the case. After the testimony the hearing was adjourned till March 13.

It is interesting to note that the same judge (IHC judge) also sits in the SJC that is seized with the case of misconduct against the Lahore High Court judge, whose name was mentioned in the Panama Papers in 2016.

The LHC judge had objected to the IHC chief justice for being a member of the council, adding since he (the IHC CJ) himself had been facing misconduct proceedings, therefore, he should not sit on the council.

However, the SJC rejected his objections over the council’s composition. The council will take up the LHC judge case on March 13.