SC bans debate on CJP reference
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday prohibited discussions, comments and write-ups likely to interfere with the legal process in connection with the presidential reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the constitutional petitions on the subject.
The SC issued a “code of conduct” for the general public, the lawyer community and the print and electronic media notifying, “the reference against Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, chief justice of Pakistan is sub judice before the Supreme Judicial Council and the constitution petitions on the subject are sub judice before the full court of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Discussions, comments, or write ups which are likely to interfere with the legal process, ridicule, scandalize or malign the Court or any of its judges; or touching the merits of the case are strictly prohibited. Violation in this regard shall be dealt with under the law relating to Contempt of Court, says the notification.”
The Court issued instructions/guidelines for members of the bar, media personnel and the litigant public visiting the Supreme Court on each date of hearing of the petitions. As per guidelines issued, advocates of the Supreme Court/advocates-on-record whose cases are fixed for hearing before any of the benches on such days will be allowed entry. Entry to the litigants will also be allowed on proof of identity. Advocates of the Supreme Court/advocates-on-record will be allowed to visit the bar room and the Court offices in connection with official business.
Judges gates of all the Courts, i.e. the Supreme Court, High Courts and the Civil & the District Courts are the exclusive entry points for the judges of the concerned courts and are never open to the lawyers or members of the general public. Maintenance of the dignity and sanctity of the courts is legal and moral duty of the members of the legal fraternity, says the notification.
It further includes that members of the bar shall therefore ensure that no advocate of the Supreme Court or of any other court enters, or attempts to enter the Supreme Court premises through the judges gate, and no advocate other than ASC/AOR enters the Supreme Court premises from any gate. No person, whether a member of legal fraternity or any one else, is allowed to raise slogans within the Supreme Court premises or at the judges entry gate, reads the instructions.
The Supreme Court also restricted movement of media personnel on the days of hearing of the constitutional petitions. “Entry of members of media (print and electronic) into court rooms will be regulated through entry passes issued by the registrar Supreme Court,” says the notification.
NNI adds: Following is the text of the Supreme Court’s statement: “It is notified for information of the general public, the lawyer community and the print and electronic media that the Reference against Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Chief Justice of Pakistan is sub judice before the Supreme Judicial Council and the Constitution Petitions on the subject are sub judice before the Full Court of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Discussions, comments, or write ups which are likely to interfere with the legal process, ridicule, scandalise or malign the Court of any of its Judges; or touching the merits of the case are strictly prohibited. Violation in this regard shall be dealt with under the law relating to Contempt of Court.
On each date of hearing of the Constitution Petitions, the members of the bar, media personnel and the litigant public visiting the Supreme Court shall abide by the following instructions/guidelines:-
(i) Entry will be allowed to Advocates of the Supreme Court/Advocates-on-Record whose cases are fixed for hearing before any of the Benches on such days. Entry will also be allowed to litigants on proof of identify.
(ii) Advocates of the Supreme Court /Advocates-on-Record will be allowed to visit the Bar Room and the Court offices in connection with official business.
(iii) Judges Gates of all the Courts, i.e. the Supreme Court, High Courts and the Civil & the District are the exclusive entry points for the Hon’ble Judges of the members of the general public. Maintenance of the dignity and sanctity of the Courts is legal and moral duty of the Hon’ble members of the legal fraternity.
Therefore
(a) Members of the Bar shall ensure that no Advocate of the Supreme Court or of any other Court enters, or attempts to enter, the Supreme Court premises through the Judges Gate, and no Advocate other than ASC/AOR enters the Supreme Court premises from any gate.
(b) No person, whether a member of legal fraternity or any one else, is allowed to raise slogans within the Supreme Court premises or at the Judges entry gate.
(c) Entry of members of media (print and electronic) into Court Rooms will be regulated through entry.
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Source: The News
Date:5/10/2007
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