By IANS
Islamabad : Despite orders to the contrary, Pakistani Supreme Court judges, including the chief justice, are still being shadowed by the intelligence agencies, a media report Saturday said.
“Even the honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has not been spared, despite categorical instructions that all such bugging must be stopped,” The News reported Saturday, quoting a source.
Some personal and official staff members of the judges like drivers and security personnel have been involved in this “fishy business” that if proved could come within the ambit of contempt of court.
In March, during the hearing of the chief justice’s petition challenging his dismissal, the intelligence agencies were caught napping while spying on Supreme Court judges.
“Not only the offices of the Supreme Court judges were found bugged but the intelligence agencies had also been taking photos of the chief justice’s residence, breaching his right to privacy,” The News said.
The 13-member court that was hearing Chaudhry’s petition – he was later reinstated – had ordered the Intelligence Bureau to clear the offices and residences of judges of high courts and the Supreme Court of all bugging devices within a stipulated time period.
The Intelligence Bureau head had then reported to the Supreme Court that this order had been complied with.
“The sources now are not sure about the intelligence gathering through re-installation of bugging devices but it has been confirmed that human intelligence is being used to spy on some honourable judges of the Supreme Court,” the newspaper said.
“Some top legal aides of the government are also quite active behind the scene in dirty manoeuvres, their innocent looks and innocent talk notwithstanding,” it added.