ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has set aside the dismissal of Islamabad High Court’s Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and acknowledged that the judge was not given a chance to defend his allegations.
Declaring the dismissal null and void, the court ruled that Justice Shaukat Siddiqui will be considered a retired judge now.
The Apex Court also annulled the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council against Justice Siddiqui, while the notification of his dismissal was declared invalid.
“Unfortunately, due to the delay in the Supreme Court decision, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has reached the age of superannuation,” the verdict stated.
It further said that Justice Siddiqui could not be reinstated as a judge, and should be considered a retired judge.
Justice Siddiqui is eligible for all privileges and pensions of a retired judge, the court noted, adding that a judge could be suspended over misconduct only after granting them a chance for a fair trial.
“Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was not given an opportunity to prove his allegations. He was dismissed over mere allegations,” the Supreme Court ruled.
The order further noted that removing a judge without investigating the allegations deals a serious blow to the independence of the judiciary, adding that a judge’s removal is undoubtedly a matter of public importance and public interest.
“An independent judiciary is the guarantor of all fundamental rights. Without an independent judiciary, fundamental rights are at risk,” the Supreme Court noted, adding that Shaukat Siddiqui’s petitions were heard under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.
Justice Siddiqui had undoubtedly levelled serious allegations against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed regarding interference in sensitive cases. He was not given an opportunity to prove his allegations or even brought face-to-face with those whom he leveled the allegations against.
On being sent notices by the court, the former spy chief and others denied the allegations in their replies, the Supreme Court observed, adding that it was the responsibility of the Supreme Judicial Council to inquire into the facts related to the conflicting statements.
The SJC gave no weight to Justice Siddiqui’s own words and the contents of his replies, the judgment noted, adding that the council itself assumed that Justice Siddiqui was a liar. “It will be difficult to call the decision of the Supreme Judicial Council fair,” the Supreme Court ruled.
The court further noted that Justice Siddiqui had alleged that Faiz Hameed and others wanted specific decisions in certain cases. Justice Siddiqui also leveled allegations against the then Islamabad High Court chief justice, who wrote a letter denying the allegations.
“How can the SJC itself determine that a junior judge to the chief justice is wrong?” the decision questioned.
A five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, had reserved its decision on January 23 on an appeal of the former judge of the Islamabad High Court against his removal from office. The CJP had stated that, if deemed necessary, the case could be re-heard.
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