Judge took Rs5mln acquitting Axact scandal accused

ISLAMABAD: Additional District & Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Pervez-ul-Qadir Memon, facing allegations of illegal gratification for acquitting the Axact fake degree scandal accused Shoaib Ahmad Sheikh and his many other accomplices, has assailed the accusations and his consequential suspension before the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC would hear in this petition today (Friday). According to the petition filed through Hafiz Arafat Ahmed Ch, advocate, a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) of the IHC in the matter of Memon had observed that the “later (Memon) is reportedly involved in corrupt practice in the case of Axact decided by him and also in some other matters related to land grabbers, etc. These issues require further consideration.”

Memon was suspended by the IHC administration on June 7 alleging illegal gratification in the case of Axact. On the basis of DPC’s observations, first an office order, and later a show cause notice was issued to Memon on June 9 that he assailed before the IHC calling these illegal and unlawful.

The petitioner was asked to show cause in writing within 14 days as to why major penalty of removal from service may not be imposed upon him. The office order mentioned that since the two members of DPC have recommended the petitioner’s removal from service, the competent authority has decided to dispense with the inquiry proceedings.

It should be noted that in a show cause notice issued on June 9 with the signature chief justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) stated that the ADSJ had the acquitted accused of Axact fake degree scandal case by taking Rs5 million bribe. According to the show cause notice, Additional District and Sessions Judge Pervez-ul-Qadir Memon confessed before Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) that he had acquitted the accused by taking bribe. On it, members of the committee recommended his removal as ADSJ. “Explanation should be provided within 14 days and if not provided then it would be considered that you have nothing to say and ex-parte proceeding would be taken against you,” the show cause notice said.