LHC dismisses civil judge over ‘misconduct’ and prolonged absence

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has dismissed Civil Judge-cum-Magistrate Zalay Huma from service over alleged misconduct and prolonged absence from duty after the expiry of her deputation at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The disciplinary action against the judicial officer has taken immediate effect, according to an official notification issued by Lahore High Court Registrar Abdul Rahim.

The notification (13 RHC/CJ) said disciplinary proceedings against Zalay Huma were initiated under the Punjab Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1999.

According to the official notification, the judicial officer allegedly remained absent from duty after completing her period of deputation at the Supreme Court and being repatriated to her parent department.

The conduct was treated as misconduct under the applicable service rules, leading to formal disciplinary proceedings against her.

According to the notification, an inquiry officer was appointed to investigate the allegations against the civil judge.

Following the inquiry, the officer concluded that the charges of misconduct levelled against Huma were proved and recommended the major penalty of dismissal from service.

The inquiry officer subsequently submitted the findings and recommendations, along with the relevant record, to the competent authority at the Lahore High Court for further action.

Final show-cause notice issued

The notification said Zalay Huma was given an opportunity to respond to the inquiry officer’s findings and recommendations.

After examining the inquiry report and the available record, the Lahore High Court authority proceeded with the disciplinary process and issued a final show-cause notice to the judicial officer.

She was directed to explain why the major penalty of dismissal from service should not be imposed against her.

For the purpose of providing her an opportunity for a personal hearing, she was directed to appear before Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf, who was appointed as the hearing officer.

Judge fails to appear for personal hearing

According to the notification, despite the issuance of the show-cause notice and the direction to appear before the hearing officer, Zalay Huma did not appear for the personal hearing.

The hearing officer subsequently recorded a note regarding her non-appearance.

The notification said the hearing officer observed that the officer had not appeared to present anything in her defence and appeared to have no objection to the inquiry officer’s recommendation for dismissal from service.

The record, including the inquiry report, the recommendations, the proceedings and the hearing officer’s observations, was then placed before the competent authority.

LHC orders dismissal

After considering the entire record and the findings of the inquiry and hearing proceedings, the Lahore High Court authority concluded that the charges against Zalay Huma had been established.

The chief justice and judges of the Lahore High Court, acting as the competent authority, subsequently ordered her dismissal from service.

The dismissal has taken effect immediately, according to the notification issued by the high court registrar.

The action was taken under the Punjab Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1999, which provide for disciplinary proceedings and penalties against government servants for misconduct and other specified violations.