Hindu judge becomes Muslim Pakistan's acting chief justice

ISLAMABAD, Saturday (AP)- A senior judge from Pakistan's tiny Hindu minority was sworn in as acting chief justice today in a first for the country's Supreme Court amid a judicial crisis that has embroiled the government of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

Rana Bhagwandas, who returned home this week after a private trip to India, replaced Javed Iqbal, another judge who was given the position temporarily after Musharraf removed the Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on March 9 for alleged abuse of authority.

Critics say Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and serves as both army chief and president, wanted to get rid of the strong-willed Chaudhry ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections to forestall any legal challenges to his rule. Musharraf denies the charge, and has urged the lawyers to let a 5-member panel of judges of the Supreme Judicial Council decide the fate of Chaudhry, who has twice appeared before the council.

Since the council last week began a closed door hearing of Chaudhry's case, he has demanded an open trial for him. In his brief comments Saturday, Bhagwandas told newsmen that any decision on Chaudhry's case would be taken in accordance with the constitution.

''The Supreme Judicial Council will decide this case on merit, without any favour or ill-will,'' he said, adding the ''nation will soon hear good news.'' He did not elaborate. The council, which handles complaints of wrongdoing in the higher judiciary, can either confirm or throw out the alleged complaints against Chaudhry. It was scheduled to resume hearing Chaudhry's case on Wednesday but the hearing was postponed until April 3.

So far, six judges have resigned to protest Chaudhry's removal. In 2002, Musharraf held parliamentary elections. The same year he won support to be the head of state in a controversial referendum in which he was the only candidate. In 2004, Parliament endorsed him as president.

Musharraf's term as the president expires later this year. The current parliament will also complete its tenure in November. Although Musharraf's allies have urged him to seek another five-year term from the current parliament, the opposition has opposed the idea, saying it would seek Supreme Court's help to stop Musharraf against any such move.