ISLAMABAD, March 13: Acting Chief Justice Javed Iqbal on Tuesday observed that the proceedings before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on allegations of misuse of office by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry would be held in a fair and transparent manner by giving ‘complete opportunity of defence’ to the respondent.

“Nobody on earth will have any complaint regarding the functioning of the SJC as complete justice will be done in accordance with the constitution,” the Justice Iqbal assured a group of lawyers who had gathered around the rostrum at the outset of Tuesday’s proceedings in the courtroom.

Senior lawyers, including Iftikhar Gillani, Sardar Latif Khosa, Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry and Saadia Abbasi, were angry over the security arrangements outside the Supreme Court’s main gate, where police were allowing only people concerned to enter the premises. Even the lawyers managed to enter the building after a lot of hassle.

“We are the stakeholders and have suffered injuries only for the dignity, grandeur and glorification of the judiciary,” Sardar Khosa said while pointing towards his stitched head after injuries suffered in police baton-charge in Lahore.

Though the acting CJ assured the lawyers that their dignity and respect would be maintained and no maltreatment would be meted out to them in future, he requested the legal fraternity to observe its protest in a manner that should be a cause of moral strength to the judges. He promised a judicial inquiry into Monday’s baton-charge.