LEGAL

In a dramatic turn of events at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court, a serving District and Sessions Judge was sentenced to three days in jail for contempt of court and arrested from the courtroom. The judgment was delivered by a full bench headed by Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan.
The judge in question, Raja Imtiaz, was found guilty of violating the Supreme Court's explicit bail instructions in a high-stakes narcotics case. The apex court had previously denied bail to an accused involved in large-scale heroin possession on January 19, 2023, with clear directions that any request for bail on new grounds must be routed back to the Supreme Court within six months.
However, only a month later, Judge Raja Imtiaz, then serving as Special Judge of the Anti-Narcotics Court, Haveli, acquitted the accused, who subsequently fled abroad. Shockingly, the judge lied under oath, claiming that no such order had been issued by him—an assertion later proven false through recovered court records.
🚨 Supreme Court’s Strong Remarks
The bench observed that the judge's actions amounted to a direct challenge to the authority of the Supreme Court and severely undermined the sanctity of the judicial process.
"Judge Raja Imtiaz not only violated a Supreme Court directive but attempted to mislead the apex court. This is a grave breach of judicial integrity," remarked Chief Justice Saeed Akram.
The full bench held that the judge had committed contempt of court by both misrepresentation and misconduct, stating that his actions had tarnished the dignity of the judiciary.
Following the verdict, law enforcement officers immediately arrested the sessions judge from inside the courtroom—a rare and bold move underlining the seriousness of the offense.
⚖️ Judicial Accountability in Focus
This landmark decision sends a strong message on judicial accountability in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Legal experts say it underscores the Supreme Court’s resolve to preserve judicial integrity, regardless of a judge’s position or power.
The ruling has sparked debate in legal circles and among the public, as it highlights ongoing challenges in the country’s justice system, especially in high-profile cases involving narcotics and corruption.