Justice Mazahar Naqvi challenges SJC’s proceedings in SC

ISLAMABAD: Justice Mazahar Akbar Naqvi, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, has formally contested the actions of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) by filing a constitutional petition in the apex court.

Through his legal representative, Khawaja Haris, Justice Naqvi has filed a constitutional petition, addressing two show-cause notices that were served on him by the SJC on a reference filed against him.

The petition specifically challenges the actions of the council, with a focus on the detailed notice issued during the previous hearing.

The notices issued earlier had asked Justice Mazahar Naqvi to reply to 10 allegations.

In his plea, Justice Mazahir Naqvi has asserted that the SJC failed to address the objections he had raised concerning the composition of the judges. In the SJC.

According to Justice Naqvi, a verdict on these objections should have been reached before the issuance of the second show-cause notice.

Justice Mazahar Naqvi, through his application, has urged the Supreme Court to hear the reference against him in the open court.

Additionally, he has sought to declare the show-cause notice as null and void.

The judge has contended that the SJC’s failure to address his objections necessitates the nullification of the subsequent show-cause notice.

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz lawyers’ forum Punjab had filed a formal complaint of misconduct with the SJC against Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi.

SJC issues second show-cause notice to Justice Mazahar Naqvi

In the complaint, the lawyers had urged the initiation of an investigation into Justice Naqvi’s conduct, citing “certain viral audio clips released on social media.”

The complaint alleged that Justice Naqvi “deviated from the code of conduct” and “passed inconsistent orders in the same matter,” asserting that such actions contradict the fundamental principles of the code of conduct, which expects judges to treat similar cases uniformly.

Accompanying the complaint were transcripts of the audio leaks, with the lawyers emphasizing the need to bring to attention the purported violations of the judicial code of conduct and the Constitution by Justice Naqvi.

The document further contended that Justice Naqvi “has misused his authority as a judge of the apex court in the most obvious manners.”

The complaint was filed after two audio clips attributed to former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi surfaced. The subsequent emergence of additional audio clips, including one featuring PTI leader Yasmin Rashid and Lahore Capital City Police Officer Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, had intensified calls for a comprehensive investigation to dispel concerns about the judiciary’s integrity.