Deposed CJ AJK Riaz Chaudhry tenders resignation

Pakistan

Deposed CJ AJK Riaz Chaudhry tenders resignation

Close

11 May,2010 05:58 pm

Deposed CJ AJK Justice Riaz Akhtar Chaudhry has tendered resignation on Tuesday, Dunya News reported. Acting CJ AJK Justice Manzoor Hussain Gilani has also resigned. And Justice Khawaja Shuhhad may take oath as new CJ AJK at any time. The judicial crisis in Azad Kashmir was aggravated when the presidential order to restore Justice Riaz Akhter as the chief justice was struck down by the Supreme Judicial Council led by Acting Chief Justice Manzoor Hussain Gilani. Earlier, President Azad Kashmir restored CJ AJK Riaz Akhtar which was termed as unconstitutional decision by the PM Azad Kashmir. The PM AJK claimed that the President cannot release order regarding the restoration of Chief Justice without Prime Minister's consent. He said that the Chief Justice has been ousted on the recommendation of Supreme Judicial Council and he can only be restored on the recommendation of the Prime Minister or the Judicial Council. Whereas, Azad Kashmir's Assembly speaker, Ghulam Qadir said that the President has violated Article 7 of the 1974 constitution. Earlier, Chief Justice of Azad Kashmir Supreme Court Justice Riaz Akhtar was deposed from his office while Justice Manzoor Gilani had taken oath as Acting Chief Justice of Azad Kashmir. The decision to send Justice Riaz Akhter on forced leave had been taken; however Justice Riaz Akhter refused to accept the decision. Following his refusal, he was deposed from the office and a reference was filed against him in the Supreme Judicial Council. Meanwhile, Justice Riaz Akhter said that the members of judicial council supported him and Azad Kashmir could not have two chief justices.