ISLAMABAD: Complaints have come to light about alleged receiving of bribery by staff transferred with judges from other provinces to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
On the instructions of Justice Babar Sattar, his private secretary has written a letter for redressal of complaints and an inquiry, saying that taking money from a lawyer or a petitioner by court employees falls under the category of bribery.
Taking money in this way is tantamount to taking rent in exchange for the provision of justice. This evil should be rooted out by conducting an inquiry and taking action against the staff involved. The letter has been received by the Chief Justice’s office. The secretary of the acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar confirmed the receipt of the letter.
On the instructions of Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC, his private secretary wrote a letter to the registrar to address the alleged bribery. Copies of the letter were also sent to the secretaries of all judges.
The letter states that it is worrying that incidents of demanding money from petitioners by the staff transferred from other high courts have been reported. It has been brought to their notice that court staff are chasing petitioners and lawyers who are taking relief and are demanding money from them.
According to the letter, a disturbing practice has started to rear its head in the IHC although the permanent employees of the high court receive salaries and benefits in return for their services.
It is misconduct for a high court employee to demand money from a petitioner or a lawyer who is taking relief. The courts, including the high courts, are designed to serve the citizens, i.e. to provide justice. There is no room for this culture in a court that provides justice to the citizens.
The letter further states that the courts and their staff should fulfil their responsibilities in the best possible manner. It says there is video monitoring of the courtrooms and corridors of the Islamabad High Court.
The Registrar’s Office can extract the footage of the last two weeks and see that the staff is demanding and taking money. If the reports of such demands prove to be true, strict action should be taken against the staff involved, the letter says, adding that this evil of demanding money must be eradicated from the roots. It is known to everyone that the staff of some other high courts demand money from the petitioners and lawyers.
According to the letter, in high courts where this practice is tolerated even though it is considered destructive, it has become a part of their culture. There is no such practice in the Islamabad High Court. In some court premises in Pakistan, there are signs written on the walls saying ‘Demanding money is strictly prohibited’, yet money is demanded and taken under these signboards. If this practice is not stopped at this stage by taking action, the culture of the Islamabad High Court will deteriorate.
When contacted by The News, the secretary to Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar confirmed receipt of the letter and said a circular in this regard had already been issued. The media will be informed soon about any developments after the letter.
