Show of support for ousted judge

Hundreds of supporters of Pakistan’s suspended chief justice showered him with rose petals at a hearing on his dismissal, and some clashed with police who stopped them from following the judge into the Supreme Court.

Lawyers, rights activists and supporters of the political opposition have been rallying against President Pervez Musharraf since March 9, when he removed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.

Although the government says that there are allegations that Chaudhry abused his power in office, critics say Musharraf wants to get rid of the chief justice ahead of any possible legal challenges to Musharraf’s continued rule.