SC dismisses former judge Mazahar Naqvi’s petition against SJC show-cause
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The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by former judge Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi challenging a show-cause notice issued by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.
A seven-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, heard the case. The petition was dismissed on grounds of non-prosecution, as the petitioner failed to pursue the case.
During the hearing, Mazahar Naqvi’s counsel, Saad Hashmi, informed the court that he was unable to contact his client and requested more time to establish communication.
However, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the counsel was contesting a show-cause notice, despite the council having already reached its decision.
--Background--
On March 8, 2024, the SJC found Mazahar Naqvi guilty of misconduct and opined that he should have been removed from office.
Earlier, on January 10, 2024, Justice Naqvi resigned following allegations of misconduct. President Dr Arif Alvi accepted his resignation a day later.
The Supreme Court maintained that SJC proceedings against a judge remain valid even after resignation or retirement.
In its press release, the judicial council asserted that the former judge was guilty of misconduct, referencing multiple allegations he faced during his tenure.
Justice Naqvi had contested the SJC’s findings, claiming misrepresentation of facts and lack of evidence. He questioned the council’s impartiality, highlighting that all witnesses testified in his favour and lamenting media campaigns against him by the ruling party, the PML-N.
Reporter: Amanat Gishkori