Judge Ali Adam reported to JSC over witness intimidation remarks

The matter of Criminal Court Judge Ali Adam writing in a ruling that defence lawyers intimidate witnesses has been forwarded to the Judicial Service Commission as a complaint. 

The complaint against Judge Ali Adam, one of the current longest-serving judges at the Criminal Court, was submitted to the JSC by a defence lawyer. The commission is yet to decide on whether they will accept the case. 

Judge Ali Adam had raised concerns when one of the key secret witnesses in the case of 19 year old Ibrahim Aagil's murder had, at the last minute, sent a letter to court asking his statement be rejected.

In the ruling in the case, Judge Ali Adam stated that in cases of this nature, oftentimes groups affiliated with the accused, their families and defence lawyers threaten witnesses in various ways, and sometimes even intimidate them with threats to life. 

Yesterday, the Bar Council released a statement condemning Judge Ali Adam's remarks, and called to refrain from making what they described as baseless accusations. The Bar Council shared their concerns with the Criminal Court as well. 

In the ruling, Judge Ali Adam further emphasized the need for a more robust system through which confidentiality and identity protection can be guaranteed in the case of secret witnesses. He stated that witnesses must be assured protection. All institutions must cooperate to expedite trials, he added. 

The Judge stated that witness intimidation is a major challenge that the criminal justice system is faced with.