Pakistan appoints Hindu Acting Chief Justice

Karachi, Mar 24: Justice Rana Bhagwandas became the first Pakistani Hindu Chief Justice when he took oath of the office as Acting Chief Justice here today.

Justice Bhangwandas is the senior most judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan after Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who is facing inquiry in the country's Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) under a presidential reference for misconduct and misuse of the authority.

Justice Bhagwandas, 65, who was on leave and away to New Delhi, had returned to Karachi on March 22 amid ongoing countrywide protests triggered by Justice Chaudhry's suspension by President General Pervez Musharraf on March 9.

Justice Javed Iqbal administered the oath to Justice Rana Bhagwandas at the Apex Registry building.

Justice Rana Bhagwandas will perform his duties as Acting Chief Justice according to the notification issued by the Law Ministry on Thursday night after his appointment by the President under Article 180 of the Constitution.

''The issue of presidential reference will be resolved amicably,'' Geo TV quoted Jusitce Bhagwandas as telling reporters after the ceremony.

He said it was for the SJC to decide whether hearing of the reference should be held in open or in-camera, adding that the judiciary will not disappoint people and they will soon hear ''good news''.

His remarks came in the backdrop of repeated demands for an open trial by Justice Chaudhry and his team of lawyers, headed by Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan. Justice Chaudhry is to appear before the council for the third time to face the reference on April 3.

Justice Rana Bhagwandas was born in Naseerabad, Larkana district of southern Sindh province on December 12, 1942 and completed his education from various institutions of the province.

He did his Masters in Islamic Studies after completing his LLB and LLM and joined the Bar in 1965 and continued his practice for about two years.

After having short term of practice as an advocate, he joined the judicial service in July 1967.

He was elevated as judge of the Sindh High Court on June 6, 1994 and then appointed as judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 4, 2000.

UNI