Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul on Sunday appreciated the revival of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), saying that it now gives the people, including students, a platform to raise their concerns with the appropriate authorities.
“The Supreme Judicial Council has been reactivated. There was some confusion surrounding this, but the court’s verdict has cleared that. Now, the SJC can be made fully operational,” Asif Nazrul said while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat.
He said the forum responsible for ensuring accountability of judges has been reinstated through transferring the power of removing judges to the Supreme Judicial Council.
Nazrul said the SJC, formed under the constitution, comprises the Chief Justice and the senior-most judges of the Appellate Division. “If a complaint is lodged today, the process will begin immediately. There’s no need for a separate notification; it is clearly stated in the constitution.”
The Law Adviser said the higher judiciary remains entirely independent and will act accordingly.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court disposed of the review petition regarding the 16th amendment to the constitution, restoring the SJC’s authority. The court has fully reinstated Article 96 of the constitution, which transfers the power of removing judges back to the SJC.
The full bench of the six-member Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order today.
“When the SJC was inactive, there was no forum to ensure the accountability of the higher judiciary. At that time, the court administration also lacked the will to ensure such accountability, as they were delivering judgments dictated by others,” Asif Nazrul added.
Turing to irregularities, the Law Adviser said, “There are some judges in the High Court against whom various sections of society have many complaints. Some of them became instruments of the fallen oppressive regime. There are also allegations of corruption against a few. There have been reports in the media, and many are angry about this. Now, through the SJC, there is a constitutional way to address these grievances,” he said.
