Justice Kayani questions trial conducted by deputationist judge

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has criticised the appointment of judges on deputation, saying some of them were delivering verdicts without properly recording witness testimony.

The remarks came during the hearing of an appeal filed by a man sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case.

While referring to an FIR and its cross-version, the court questioned how two separate trials and verdicts had been conducted over the same incident.

“It was one incident, yet two trials were conducted separately,” Justice Kayani observed, noting that the defence lawyer was citing evidence from the parallel proceedings.

The court summoned the prosecutor general to assist the court in the matter.

Justice Kayani said the issue should be raised with the chief justice, asking which judge had passed such an order.

The defence counsel informed the court that Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka had decided the case.

Justice Kayani then remarked that “such judges are brought on deputation who give decisions without witnesses.”

He acknowledged that judges could make mistakes but stressed the need for proper training, particularly in serious cases such as murder.

“If a judge rushes through a case like this, it becomes an injustice,” the judge remarked.

Justice Kayani directed the inspection team member to arrange training for judges as well, saying errors may occur but should not stem from bad faith.

He said that the high court had the authority to supervise subordinate courts and ensure that judicial work at lower levels was being carried out properly.