Islamabad (Lord Media): The Supreme Court has ruled that a judge with a tarnished reputation cannot remain in judicial office, emphasizing that judges must possess both innocence and an unblemished character. A three-member bench led by Justice Shahid Waheed has reinstated the dismissal of Vehari Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Zahid.
The Supreme Court highlighted the importance of a judge’s integrity and reputation, asserting that judicial decisions should not be perceived as tainted in the public mind. The court stated that a judge’s poor reputation undermines the judiciary’s credibility and losing public trust is detrimental to judicial interests.
The decision noted that removing a disreputable or corrupt judge aids in the judiciary’s recovery, akin to excising a specific tumor. The court further remarked that a judge’s poor reputation affects the entire judicial structure.
The court reinstated the departmental action decision dated May 6, 2013, regarding the judge’s dismissal and annulled the service tribunal’s order of forced retirement. It stressed that character and reputation in the judiciary are as crucial as legal competence.
The judge was accused of obtaining illegal benefits. The relevant authority monitored the judge’s conduct and reported that he did not have a good reputation within the judiciary. The Supreme Court stated that it cannot intervene in the outcome of inadequate investigations.
