In a landmark and unprecedented legal development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the Supreme Court has ordered the immediate arrest and imprisonment of former Sessions Judge of Haveli Kahuta, Raja Imtiaz Ahmed, after convicting him of contempt of court, judicial misconduct, and breach of Supreme Court directives.
The ruling, handed down by a full bench of the AJK Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, sentenced Raja Imtiaz to three days in judicial custody, marking a rare moment of accountability within the region’s judiciary.
Case Origin: Drug Trafficking and Judicial Overreach
The case stems from a narcotics trafficking trial under Section 9(c) of the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997, where an individual, Raja Dilawar Khan, was arrested for possession of a large quantity of heroin in Haveli district. His initial bail application was rejected by the trial court, and subsequent appeals were also dismissed by the AJK High Court and the Supreme Court on January 19, 2023.
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In its ruling, the Supreme Court clearly instructed that the trial must conclude within six months and that any subsequent bail could only be granted by the Supreme Court if new material evidence emerged.
Despite these instructions, Raja Imtiaz Ahmed, then serving as the Special Judge of the Anti-Narcotics Court in Haveli, acquitted the accused on February 16, 2023, invoking Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C). Notably, this acquittal occurred while an appeal against the original decision was still pending in the High Court.
Following his acquittal, the accused fled the country, raising serious questions about judicial conduct, procedural violation, and the undermining of the apex court’s authority.
Contempt and Misconduct: Supreme Court Responds
In court proceedings, Raja Imtiaz initially denied issuing any such acquittal order, but official court records contradicted his claim, producing the signed order issued by him. This apparent false testimony, combined with the unauthorized release of an alleged narcotics trafficker and violation of the Supreme Court’s explicit directives, led to a contempt notice and disciplinary inquiry.
A month-long judicial investigation concluded that Raja Imtiaz had committed serious misconduct, violated judicial norms, and acted in defiance of the Supreme Court’s authority, thus undermining the integrity of the judiciary.
On July 2, 2025, the Supreme Court issued a final ruling, declaring that Raja Imtiaz had:
- Committed contempt of court
- Lied in front of the Supreme Court
- Released a narcotics suspect in direct violation of the apex court’s orders
- Damaged the reputation and sanctity of the judiciary
The bench ordered his immediate arrest from within the courtroom, and he was taken into custody to serve a three-day sentence.
Implications and Public Reaction
Legal experts believe that this decision may set a historic precedent in the region, reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law, not even those entrusted to uphold it.
Raja Imtiaz has served in sensitive judicial roles across districts like Muzaffarabad, Pallandri, Sudhanoti, and Haveli. His earlier tenure has attracted criticism, especially after he initiated contempt proceedings against two journalists in Islamabad, Raja Majid Afsar and Ijaz Khan, over social media posts. That episode had sparked concerns about judicial overreach and press freedom.
Now, he himself stands disgraced and convicted, representing a significant reversal in his legal career. The AJK judiciary, often under scrutiny for its independence and efficiency, has taken a bold step to enforce internal accountability, regardless of seniority or position.
A Moment of Reflection for AJK Judiciary
The ruling is being seen by many as a rare moment of introspection and reform in a judicial landscape where power, patronage, and political proximity have often overshadowed legal integrity.
At a time when the region’s political future remains contested and its institutions operate in the crossfire of nationalistic and state narratives from both India and Pakistan, this decision stands out as a powerful reaffirmation of judicial independence — a reminder that accountability must begin at home.
What Comes Next?
Sources close to the judiciary suggest that Raja Imtiaz Ahmed’s past rulings, particularly in narcotics cases across Muzaffarabad, Pallandri, and Haveli, are under review, with the possibility of further criminal or disciplinary proceedings.
Observers across AJK and the broader Kashmiri diaspora are following the case closely, with many seeing it as a positive development amid growing demands for transparent governance, impartial justice, and freedom from politicized institutions.
