Axact fake degree: Plea dismissed of suspended judge over accepting bribe from CEO

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court dismissed the plea — against show-cause notice — submitted by the suspended judge, who denied of accepting a bribe of Rs5 million to grant bail to Axact CEO Shoaib Shaikh.

The suspended additional sessions judge, Pervaiz-ul-Qadir Memon filed a request with the court, stating he had not admitted to accepting a bribe. He added the reference made to him in the show-cause notice was wrong.

The show-cause notice was issued by the Islamabad High Court chief justice on June 9, stating Memon had admitted to accepting a bribe from Axact CEO, in front of a two-judge committee. The notice read Memon had said he accepted Rs5 million and announced his decision on the fake degree case.

But Memon challenged the show-cause notice, stating he did not admit to accepting a bribe.

However, Justice Amir Farooq announced the verdict on Monday, dismissing the request filed by Memon.

The hearing over the fake degree case was held on October 31, 2016 in which bail was granted to the chief executive officer of Axact. 

The issue came to the fore in May 2016 when The New York Times published an article, claiming Axact sold fake degrees online through hundreds of fictitious schools. After the issue surfaced, the offices of the company were sealed and its chief executive officer and other officials were arrested.