SC declares Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s removal ‘annulled’

The Supreme Court annulled the Supreme Judicial Council’s ruling to oust ex-judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui last Friday.

Presided over by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, a five-justice panel including Justice Aminuddin, Justice Jamal Mandokhel, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Irfan Saadat, penned the 23-page verdict.

The Supreme Court judged the Supreme Judicial Council’s suggestion to remove Justice Siddiqui as unlawful, granting the appeals against his ousting and granting him all benefits due to a retired judge.

The top court pointed out that Justice Siddiqui could not return to his position because he reached retirement age, 62, during the delay.

Recall on January 23, the Supreme Court deferred its judgment on the case of the former Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.

At the trial, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa observed that maintaining the constitutional balance among state bodies is critical.

Justice Siddiqui’s removal from his post came after the SJC’s recommendation, under Article 209 of the Constitution, for purported malpractice linked to his speech at the District Bar Association in Rawalpindi on July 21, 2018.