Two SC judges recuse themselves from hearing presidential reference against Justice Isa

• Justice Isa had filed petition seeking recusal of the two judges.
• Counsel of Justice Isa said that two judges will likely benefit from removal of Justice Isa.
• Matter of new bench sent to chief justice of Pakistan.

Two Supreme Court (SC) judges recused themselves on Tuesday from hearing the petition challenging the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

During the hearing today, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood decided to distance themselves from petition, after which the the seven-member bench was dissolved. The other members of the bench included Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justices Maqbool Baqar, Manzoor Ahmed Malik, Faisal Arab and Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel.

Justice Isa's lawyer Muneer Malik had filed a petition in the apex court seeking the recusal of Justice Ahsan and Justice Tariq. Malik said that two judges had a direct interest in the case against Justice Isa, local media reported. He added that the two judges will benefit from the removal of Judge Isa, as both will potentially serve as chief justice in future, local media reported.

Justice Isa has however, maintained that he is not leveling allegations of bias against the judges. The SC has forwarded the matter of forming a new bench to Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa.

A reference was filed against Judge Isa with the Supreme Judicial Council under Article 209 of the Constitution. The SC’s judge has been accused of acquiring three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children and not disclosing them in his wealth statements.