Suspended Pakistani top judge submits an affidavit in SC

Islamabad, May 29: Pakistan's suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry today filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court on events from his suspension on March 9 and subsequent events till March 13 including his detention.

"We filed the affidavit today," Mr Chaudhry's senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan told reporters after the 13-member full court adjourned hearing challenging his removal as well as constitition of the Supreme Judicial Council and its competence to try him.

Mr Ahsan said the former chief justice explained in the affidavit the condition in which he was detained in the army house for five hours on the day of his dismissal by President Pervez Musharraf for ''misuse of power'' and the way he was placed under house arrest on his return from the army house till March 13.

He said he concluded adding that more lawyers, representing petitioners including bar associations will speak tomorrow.

Mr Chaudhry had categorically denied allegations leveled against him in a reference that Mr Musharraf sent to the Supreme Judicial Council comprising five judges.

He had moved the Supreme Court on April 18.

UNI