The federal government has objected to the larger bench of the Supreme Court hearing the petitions against the audio leaks commission.
According to the details, the plea submitted by the federal government has raised objections over the inclusion of CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and Justice Muneeb Akhtar in the audio leaks commission bench.
The plea stated that as per the code of conduct, judges cannot hear cases related to their relatives, former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry also denied being part of the Arslan Iftikhar case. The federal government has sought the formation of a new bench in the audio leaks case hearing.
“Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar should not listen to the audio leak case,” the petition appealed, adding that the “three respected judges should refuse to sit in the five-member larger bench”.
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The government had earlier formed a three-member judicial commission, led by Supreme Court senior puisne judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa, to probe the multiple audio leaks about the judiciary.
However, the Supreme Court on Friday, while barring the Justice Qazi Faez Isa-led audio leaks commission from work, issued a stay order and adjourned the hearing on petitions against the commission till May 31.
Fed Govt has sought recusal of CJP, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan & Justice Munib Akhtar from bench hearing petitions against constitution of inquiry commission probing audio leaks.Govt has also requested CJP to reconstitute the bench in this matter. The case is fixed before SC on May 31 https://t.co/a2C3dEsgkw pic.twitter.com/PcQiuUNvrF
— Asad Kharal (@AsadKharal) May 30, 2023
A high-powered judicial commission comprising the CJP was tasked on May 20 to probe the audio leaks related to the judiciary. The commission was tasked to complete the inquiry within 30 days.
Among the multiple audio leaks, the commission will also probe into the veracity of the alleged call between former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and a sitting top court judge as well as another call between CM Elahi and a Supreme Court lawyer over the constitution of an apex court bench.
Read more: CJP responds strongly to objections over his inclusion in audio leaks bench