Pak: Full Court reconstituted to hear Chaudhry's plea

Islamabad, May 14: Pakistan acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas has reconstituted the full court to hear former top judge Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry's petition on daily basis from May 15.

The 14-member court could not meet today after one of its members, Justice Falak Sher refused to sit on the bench citing seniority issues with Justice Chaudhry and other judges as the reason.

He said it would be inappropriate for him to be part of the bench.

Later, the acting Chief Justice reconstituted the bench to 13 members.

The Supreme Court had last Monday stayed proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), which was inquiring into presidential reference against Mr Chaudhry for misuse of powers.

The petition challenged Mr Chaudhry's suspension of March 9 under the reference as well as constitution and competence of the SJC to try the Chief Justice.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen killed an additional registrar of Pakistan Supreme Court here, hours ahead of the scheduled hearing of the petition of Mr Chaudhry.

UNI