Islamabad: A Supreme Court (SC) bench hearing pleas against the verdict in the case of civilians’ trial in military courts was dissolved after Justice Sardar Tariq Masood recused himself from the proceedings.
As the hearing commenced today (Monday), Justice Masood said he would hear the objections against the bench first.
Former CJP Jawad S Khawaja’s counsel objected to the bench and said the matter should be sent to the Judges Committee for the reconstitution of the bench.
Other members of the bench included Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.
In December of last year, the larger bench of the apex conditionally suspended its judgment on military courts by a majority of 5-1 with Justice Musarrat Hilali dissenting.
On October 23 last year, the SC declared the trial of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional and held that 103 persons and others, who may be placed concerning the events arising from May 9 could be tried by criminal courts, established under the ordinary or special law of the land.