No bench has the power to take notice on its own, says Supreme Court : Pakistan

Bench may recommend to Chief Justice to take notice, Sumoto's power can only be exercised by Chief Justice, court rules

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a detailed judgment in the case regarding the power to take suo motu notice , stating that no bench has the power to take suo motu notice . The Supreme Court , at the request of the Press Association, withdrew the suo motu notice taken by Justice Faiz Issa . The written decision of the Supreme Court said that the bench can recommend to the Chief Justice to take notice, the power of Sumoto can only be exercised by the Chief Justice .

In this decision, the Supreme Court has also laid down the rules for taking suo motu notice . The Supreme Court has stated that the hearing on all the notices taken by the benches will be as per normal . The apex court in its judgment said that no bench can summon or report on its own. In order to exercise the power of self- notice , the approval of the Chief Justice would be required. Taking suo moto notice of a judge will only aggravate the situation.