Pakistan’s Judicial History and Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas

Posted on March 24, 2007
Filed Under >Adil Najam, History, Law & Justice, Minorities, People
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Adil Najam

The swearing in of Justice Rana Bhagwandas as the Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) of Pakistan is not a ‘historical’ event in and of itself. However, Justice Bhagwandas now has a historical opportunity before him to influence the both the history of the institution he represents (the Judiciary) as well as the history of the country.


First some points of context:

Indeed, it is a little disconcerting that his taking over this office – which was the procedurally appropriate thing to be done – is raising such attention. It is doing so, partly, on the assumption that the appointment of Justice Javed Iqbal as ACJ before him had some sinister purpose. Largely, it is because most Pakistanis have only just realized that Justice Bhagwandas is a practicing Hindu, and there are clearly those who want to make this an issue, even questioning his appropriateness for that reason. It is also, I think, that people’s faith in the judicial process is so low that they assume that he will soon, necessarily, assume the office of the Chief Justice. (It should be added that he is slated to retire at the age of 65, which happens this December; Justcie Iftikhar, on the other hand, does not retire till 2013).

Justice Rana Bhagwandas is – as, in fact, was Justice Javed Iqbal before him – considered to be a highly respected judge of high intellectual caliber and personal integrity. Born in 1942, Justce Bhagwandas became a lawyer like many other educated Sindhi Hindus and also has a post-graduate degree in Islamic studies and is considered an expert on constitutional law. He was a practising lawyer for about two years before being appointed to the bench in July 1967; he became a judge of the Sindh High Court in 1994; and of the Supreme Court in 2000. A challenge to his appointment to the higher judiciary on the grounds that he was a non-Muslim was dismissed by the Sindh High Court in 2002.

It is (a) because the prescribed procedure was followed here in his appointment, and (b) because he is a highly respected judge and a constitutional expert, that one should focus on this appointment. He is obviously aware of the historical decisions ahead of him. His first statement after taking his oath could be misconstrued as over-enthusiastic but one would like to believe that there is no hidden message in this statement and he is merely being diplomatic. According to The News:

Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan (ACJP), Rana Bhagwan Das has said that the presidential reference against Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry would be dealt with adequately. Talking to the media after taking oath as ACJP, Justice Bhagwan Das told that the Supreme Judicial Council would be taking a decision on the issue of holding the hearing of the reference in open or in camera. He said that the judiciary would not disappoint the people and the nation would soon hear the good news.

The history of the Pakistan Supreme Court and of Justices in this situation is a ‘busy’ one. Too busy, in my opinion. But it is not an even one. There have been shameful examples when the courts have allowed themselves to become tools in the hands of military and political leaders; but there have also been times when the Justices have made the nation proud by standing up to all pressures and deciding solely on the merit of the cases.

Judges, of course, love to hear about precedent. Here, the precedence lies in both direction. The question is, which precedent will Justice Rana Bhagwandas follow?

For anyone interested in the history of the Judiciary in such cases – both good and bad – do watch this very informative BBC report on the subject.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_gE39xhnm0w

64 responses to “Pakistan’s Judicial History and Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas”

  1. maryam says:

    now m really hapy 2 c tha pak judiciary …………i think this is the tym when judiciary should take some serious steps……….4 da betterment of country

  2. Watan Aziz says:

    Honarable Bhagwandas, Sadar Salam.

    Know that those who love Pakistan, honor you.

    Know that you are recognized for your dedication to justice and equity.

    Know that there was the time not too long ago, when there was a price. In the balance was your dedication to your honored profession as well as the love of your land.

    Know that you refused the price and earned the honor.

    Know that it was your skilled patience, your sense of morality and your decency that guided your soul and your mind at that hour.

    Know that when the history of march to justice and equity will be written, your name will rank above the many who settled for a price, sold their soul, their nation.

    Know that we have miles to go for justice and equity before we sleep.

    Know that we are grateful. Appreciative.

    The honored son of Pakistan, Bhagwandas, Sadar Salam.

  3. Ayesha says:

    Happy Diwali to Mr.Rana Bhagwan Das and your family.Thank you for being neutral and fair.Best wishes for you and your family.Take Care.

  4. Adil Najam says:

    UPDATE
    From the Dawn today:

    The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Constitution did not bar a non-Muslim judge from becoming the country’s chief justice. The ruling was made after a petition filed by Shahid Orakzai, challenging the appointment of Justice Rana Bhagwandas as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan for being a non-Muslim, was rejected.

    A three-member bench, comprising Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi and Justice Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmad, also dismissed a petition filed by Moulvi Iqbal Haider who defended the appointment of a non-Muslim as chief justice or acting chief justice. The court termed the petition infructuous.

    Deputy Attorney-General Tariq Khokhar said that there was no constitutional provision that barred a non-Muslim judge from being elevated to the post of the CJ.

    During the hearing, the bench called the police to send Shahid Orakzai out of the court when he insisted to address the court and speak in favour of his petition.

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