Justice Tariq Jahangiri on Wednesday formally approached the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) with a complaint against Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, alleging misconduct, pressure regarding a pending case, and violations of the judicial code of conduct.

According to the complaint, Justice Jahangiri said the chief justice summoned him for a meeting during which a sub judice matter, an alleged fake degree case pending against him, was discussed.

He maintained that any discussion of a pending case by a sitting chief justice constitutes a breach of judicial ethics.

The complaint further states that during the meeting, Justice Dogar acknowledged that there was pressure on him to expedite the hearing of the pending case.

Justice Jahangiri argued that such admissions and conversations relating to an ongoing matter fall within the ambit of judicial misconduct.

Justice Jahangiri also alleged that he was advised during the meeting to consider resigning, with the chief justice stating that pressure was mounting.

He contended that suggesting resignation to a judge while a case is under adjudication amounts to serious misconduct.

In his petition, Justice Tariq Jahangiri has requested the SJC to initiate constitutional proceedings against Justice Dogar and seek his removal from office.

Challenges IHC order in Constitutional Court

Earlier, Justice Jahangiri filed an appeal in the Federal Constitutional Court challenging the IHC order in the fake degree case.

The appeal comes against a decision by a two-member bench of the IHC that had issued its ruling on December 9.

In his plea, Justice Jahangiri sought the dismissal of a writ petition filed against him in the IHC, maintaining that the petition is not maintainable.

He argued that he was not allowed to be heard before the petition was admitted and declared that the high court cannot adjudicate the matter without recording evidence.

According to the petition, the case regarding the validity of his LLB degree should be examined by a trial court, which is authorised to record evidence.

Justice Jahangiri has also filed three separate applications in the IHC, requesting that Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar recuse himself from the bench hearing the matter, and that the case be referred to a full court.

He further requested additional time to submit his response and asked that proceedings in the IHC be deferred until the Sindh High Court delivers its decision in a related matter.

The Islamabad High Court had earlier rejected objections raised by Justice Jahangiri over the inclusion of Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar in the bench and directed the Karachi University’s Registrar to produce the original degree record on December 18.

In its written order, the IHC stated that allegations against the chief justice had no legal basis and noted that the formation of a two-member bench in sensitive matters is within the discretionary powers of the chief justice.

Justice Jahangiri has appointed a legal team of three senior lawyers to represent him in the case: Akram Sheikh and Barrister Salahuddin will represent him in the high court, while Uzair Bhandari will handle the proceedings in the Federal Constitutional Court.

The appeal in the Constitutional Court seeks to have the IHC order set aside, and the writ petition declared inadmissible.