SJC closes complaint against IHC judge over son's crash case

The SJC has dismissed a complaint against IHC Justice Muhammad Asif, ending proceedings over allegations that he misused his judicial office to influence the investigation and legal process in a fatal road accident involving his underage son. 

The decision was communicated to the complainant after the council's meeting held on May 14, though the detailed reasons for the dismissal have not been made public. 

The complaint, filed by retired Colonel Inamur Rahim on December 29, accused Justice Asif of using state machinery and the influence of his office to pressure the families of two teenage girls who were killed in a hit-and-run incident in Islamabad on December 2, 2025. 

The girls were travelling on a scooter when they were struck by a speeding SUV allegedly driven by the judge’s son near the Pakistan National Council of Arts. 

Following the accident, the judge’s son was taken into police custody. However, on December 6, a judicial magistrate ordered his release after the victims’ families pardoned him in court under Pakistan’s qisas and diyat laws. 

This law permits legal heirs to forgive the accused in exchange for compensation or without it. The complaint alleged the compromise proceedings were conducted after court hours in camera to facilitate the accused’s release. 

With the complaint dismissed, Justice Asif will continue serving on the Islamabad High Court bench.

The case has drawn comparisons with another high-profile hit-and-run incident involving the daughter of a Supreme Court judge. In that case, Judicial Magistrate Adnan Yousuf acquitted Shanzay Malik in February 2025 after accepting her legal team's acquittal application.