PHC removes two judges over corruption charges

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday removed two civil judges from their services over their alleged involvement in corruption and misuse of authority, said two different notifications issued by the registrar of PHC.

The notifications said that the orders of their removal have been issued on the direction of Chief Justice of Peshawar High court, Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth after an enquiry was conducted against them.

The notifications added that in pursuance of the decision of administration committee dated May 20, 2019, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Additional and session judge, Nasir Jamal Yousafzai and Civil Judge Tayyab Ali.

It is further added that the both accused judicial officer, under the KP government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2011, were served with show-cause notices and were asked to defend the charges levelled against them. The notification claimed that both the judicial officers were also heard in person by the registrar of the Peshawar high court.

“After complying with the entire prescribed procedure under the Rules, the Competent Authority has found that the charges enumerated in the show-cause notices have been proved against the accused officers, said the notification. “ therefore, the Competent Authority has been pleased to impose a major penalty of removal of the accused from services with immediate effect”.

It was notified that that imposition of major penalty of removal from service has been made under that Rule 4 (1)(b)) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2011.  After the termination of their employment, the judges will not be entitled to any of the benefits they would have otherwise received, such as a pension. The notification issued by the registrar of the court has not given details of the charges levelled against both the judicial officers.

Last year in July, the Peshawar high court has also removed five districts and session judges for violation of the code of conduct and allegations of corruption.