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Islamabad High Court judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri has accused Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar of bias and filed petitions before the FCC and SJC.
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IHC Judge Accuses His Boss of ‘Bias’, Moves FCC and SJC
A major judicial controversy has emerged within the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri accused Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar of bias and misconduct, moving both the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) and the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for relief.
Justice Jahangiri has challenged the IHC’s decision to hear a petition questioning the authenticity of his law degree, alleging procedural impropriety and personal prejudice on the part of the chief justice.
FCC Asked to Set Aside IHC Order
In a petition filed through senior counsel Uzair Karamat Bhandari, Justice Jahangiri requested the FCC to set aside the December 9 order of the IHC, which declared maintainable a petition seeking justification of his appointment as a high court judge.
The petition challenges allegations that Justice Jahangiri’s LLB degree from Karachi University was obtained through unfair means.
Allegations of Bias Against IHC Chief Justice
Justice Jahangiri contended that Chief Justice Dogar was biased and therefore disqualified from hearing any matter relating to his appointment.
He pointed out that:
- He had already challenged Justice Dogar’s transfer and elevation as IHC chief justice
- Judicial propriety required the chief justice to recuse himself from the case
Justice Jahangiri recalled that Justice Khalid Hussain Soomro had recused himself earlier, but the chief justice chose not to follow the same course.
Restraining Order and Supreme Court Intervention
According to the petition:
- CJ Dogar fixed the case before himself while heading a division bench
- An interim order was issued restraining Justice Jahangiri from performing judicial functions
- That restraining order was later set aside by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court had directed the IHC to first decide pending office objections before proceeding further.
‘Violation of Supreme Court Directions’
Justice Jahangiri alleged that the IHC division bench:
- Decided the issue of maintainability without issuing notice to him
- Failed to provide him an opportunity of being heard
“This was a clear violation of Supreme Court directions and a grave procedural impropriety,” the petition stated.
He added that he was given only three days to respond on the merits, without being heard on maintainability.
Formal Complaint Filed Before SJC
Separately, Justice Jahangiri filed a formal complaint under Article 209 of the Constitution before the Supreme Judicial Council, accusing CJ Dogar of:
- Misconduct
- Bias
- Violation of the Code of Conduct for Judges
The complaint relates to proceedings concerning the legitimacy of his law degree and judicial appointment.
Allegation of Pressure and Resignation Advice
In a serious allegation, Justice Jahangiri claimed that while the matter was sub judice:
- The chief justice discussed the case with him privately
- Advised him to resign from office, directly and indirectly
According to the complaint, CJ Dogar admitted that “tremendous pressure” was being exerted on him to decide the matter quickly and against Justice Jahangiri.
Claim of ‘Post-Dated Resignation’ Suggestion
The complaint further alleged that:
- The chief justice suggested Justice Jahangiri submit a post-dated resignation
- The resignation would be held for “safe-keeping”
- This would help delay proceedings and ease external pressure
Justice Jahangiri asserted that such conduct alone disqualified CJ Dogar from adjudicating the case.
Legal and Institutional Implications
The twin moves — before the FCC and SJC — have deepened an unprecedented rift within the IHC, raising serious questions about:
- Judicial propriety
- Institutional independence
- Internal accountability within the judiciary
The matter is expected to draw significant legal and public attention in the coming days.
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