JUSTICE DERAILED!

Pakistan’s top judge, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has been suspended by President Pervez Musharraf for “misconduct and misuse of authority”. It is learnt that Justice Chaudhry had irked those in power by taking a firm line against government misdemeanours and human rights abuses. He had also initiated investigations into the highly sensitive issue of the disappearance of political activists allegedly detained illegally by security forces.

The unceremonious suspension of the Chief Justice of Pakistan on March 9 has led to much unrest and disastrous consequences. The government is trying to control the damage but the legal community, the opposition political parties as well as civil society are up in arms. The chief justice has been detained in his residence and his movements restricted. He was not allowed to meet with a number of lawyers, journalists, politicians and brother justices who showed up at his doorstep over the last three four days.

JANANEETHI condemns the fascist and undemocratic method of dealing with the highest judicial authority in the country on flimsy grounds. The allegations against Justice Chaudhry are being examined by the Supreme Judicial Council, constituted of General Musharraf’s loyalists. It is a matter of deep concern to all who believe in democratic values that the resolution of this matter should take place in a way that is completely transparent and strictly in accordance with Pakistan's laws.