The Supreme Judicial Council reserved its judgement about open trial of Presidential Reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry after completion of arguments by the two sides here on Tuesday. Justice Iftikhar had filed an application seeking open hearing of the charges levelled against him, instead of in-camera proceedings.
He had also raised objections to the appointment of Acting Chief Justice, in his presence, and to two Judges, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, and Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, CJ of Lahore High Court, sitting on the SJC as according to him, they were 'hostile' towards him.
The SJC also decided to hear other preliminary legal objections raised by the respondent, before any decision on the application, and adjourned the proceedings to 13.4.2007 at 9.30 am, with consent of parties.
A press release issued by the Supreme Judicial Council, after the sitting, said:
"The Supreme Judicial Council, headed by Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, and comprising Justice Javed Iqbal & Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Judges of the Supreme Court, and Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, Chief Justice, Lahore High Court & Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed, Chief Justice, High Court of Sindh (Members) met today at Islamabad in connection with the Reference against Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
"Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan, Sr. Advocate Supreme Court leading the penal of Advocates for Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Makhdoom Ali Khan, Attorney General for Pakistan on notice by the Council and Dr Khalid Ranjha, Advocate Supreme Court on behalf of the referring authority completed arguments on the application filed by the respondent seeking adoption of open trail in contrast to camera proceedings by the Council.
"In support of their arguments, the learned Advocates and the Attorney General for Pakistan referred to provisions of the constitution, the relevant rules and the case law on the subject. "The Council decided to hear other preliminary legal objections raised on behalf of the respondent before any decision on the said application and adjourned the proceedings to 13.04.2007 at 9:30 am by consent of parties."