Justice Jahangiri challenges Dogar-led bench over bias

Tells IHC bench, 'Even a patwari is not stopped from working the way you stopped me'

Islamabad High Court judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri appeared before a division bench on Monday regarding a petition challenging the validity of his law degree. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, heard the case regarding the quo warranto petition that has been pending for over a year.

"You are also a judge and I am also a judge. My appeal against you is pending," Jahangiri told Chief Justice Dogar, requesting the objection be recorded. He noted that judges had filed an appeal against CJ Dogar's transfer, arguing this created a conflict of interest.

Justice Jahangiri argued that he was barred from judicial work without being heard, despite having raised objections to the petition. He questioned why he received only three days' notice for a petition filed a year and a half ago.

Read: IHC to hear eligibility challenge against Justice Jahangiri

Moreover, he argued that the court was violating its own procedures, claiming the IHC had never heard a quo warranto petition through a division bench before. “My right to a division bench has been affected,” he said.

"Do not open this Pandora's box, everyone's turbans will be blown off," Justice Jahangiri said. He defended his credentials, swearing on the Quran that his degree is genuine and noting that Karachi University had never stated his degree was fake.

"I do not have confidence in you. You should not hear this case," Jahangiri told Dogar. The chief justice replied, "It's alright, it makes no difference; that decision has already been made. You were kind enough to take everyone to the Supreme Court".

When Justice Jahangiri insisted he should have been issued proper notice, CJ Dogar said it had already happened. "No, sir, it has not. You should have issued me a notice," Justice Jahangiri countered.

Read More: IHC suspends Justice Jahangiri amid fake degree controversy

Invoking judicial history, Justice Jahangiri said such treatment was unprecedented. "Even a patwari is not stopped from working the way you stopped me," he remarked. He pointed out that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had granted a stay on the cancellation of his degree and suggested the matter should be left to the Supreme Judicial Council.

Chief Justice Dogar assured Jahangiri he would receive justice like anyone else. The court ordered records from Karachi University's registrar and directed that all documents be provided to Justice Jahangiri.

The petitioner asked for day-to-day hearings, saying too much time had already passed, with Justice Jahangiri requesting more time to file his reply.

The hearing has been adjourned until Thursday.