Disclosure of complaints made against judges: Supreme Court upholds Registrar Office's objection

Upholding the Registrar Office objection to a plea seeking disclosure of total number of complaints made against judges and expeditious disposal of the references by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) since its inception, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition on Monday. Filing a constitutional petition on April 30, Raheel Kamran Sheikh urged the Supreme Court to issue directives to the SJC to swiftly dispose of complaints against the superior court judges.
On May 6, the apex court Registrar's Office returned the plea terming it 'frivolous'. Challenging the Registrar Office objection through senior advocate Munir A Malik the petitioner requested the court to set aside the Registrar Office objection. Appearing before Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali in person, Raheel Kamran Sheikh had contended it would be inappropriate that being Chairman of the SJC, the Chief Justice of Pakistan is hearing the matter in hand.
Sheikh further pleaded it would also be improper for any judge of the Supreme Court against whom any complaint or reference had been filed to hear and decide the case. Citing the Article 19-A of the Constitution, the petitioner said under the provision he has fundamental right to know how many complaints or references were filed against superior court justices in the SJC. After hearing the arguments, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali reserved verdict over the Sheikh's appeal filed against objection of Registrar Office.
On Monday, announcing its verdict in the matter in the chamber, the Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali upheld the Registrar Office objection and dismissed the plea. Talking to Business Recorder, Raheel Kamran Sheikh informed he will file an appeal against the decision within stipulated time.