In a dramatic and unprecedented development within the judiciary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the Supreme Court’s full bench—chaired by Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan—has sentenced former Session Judge of Haveli, Raja Imtiaz Ahmad, to three days in jail for contempt of court. The judge was arrested directly from the courtroom following the verdict.
Raja Imtiaz faced serious allegations of deliberately violating the Supreme Court’s clear instructions, lying under oath, and damaging the dignity of the judiciary. The case in question dates back to a narcotics trial under Section 9(c) of the Narcotics Act 1997 involving Raja Dilawar Khan, who was arrested for possession of a large quantity of heroin.
The accused’s initial bail request had already been rejected by the trial court, the High Court, and ultimately by the Supreme Court on January 19, 2023. At the time, the apex court had explicitly ordered that the trial must be concluded within six months, and that bail could only be reconsidered if new evidence emerged—and only by the Supreme Court.
Despite this clear ruling, just one month later, on February 16, 2023, Raja Imtiaz—then serving as Special Anti-Narcotics Court Judge in Haveli—acquitted the accused under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code. This decision allowed the accused to flee the country. Crucially, this acquittal came while the case was still under appeal in the High Court, in direct contradiction to the Supreme Court’s directives.
When confronted by the Supreme Court, Raja Imtiaz initially denied having issued such an acquittal order. However, the court retrieved the document from official records, exposing the falsehood. The full bench concluded that Raja Imtiaz had committed serious misconduct, defied judicial orders, and misled the court—amounting to contempt.
One month ago, the Supreme Court had already suspended Raja Imtiaz and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into his conduct, demanding records of all his previous decisions in narcotics cases, particularly those made in Muzaffarabad, Pallandri, and Haveli.
On July 2, 2025, following the conclusion of this inquiry, the Supreme Court unequivocally declared that Raja Imtiaz had challenged the authority of the apex court, damaged its reputation, and committed perjury. As a result, he was sentenced to three days of imprisonment and immediately taken into custody from the courtroom.
Raja Imtiaz had previously served in various sensitive districts including Sudhnoti, Muzaffarabad, and Haveli. He had also drawn criticism for initiating contempt proceedings against Islamabad-based journalists Raja Majid Afser and Ijaz Khan over social media posts. Ironically, the same contempt charge has now led to his own downfall—setting a powerful precedent that no one, not even members of the judiciary, are above the law.
Legal experts believe this verdict not only ends Raja Imtiaz’s judicial credibility but also opens the door for potential future criminal and disciplinary proceedings against him under state law.
This landmark case underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to upholding judicial integrity and sends a clear message: accountability applies to all, including those entrusted with upholding justice.
