Model court announces first verdict

The courts are established for swift disposal of narcotics and murder cases

KARACHI: The model court - formed on the directives of the Supreme Court to deal with cases of heinous nature - announced its first decision on Monday. Additional district and sessions judge Haleem Ahmed, acquitted suspect Tooba in a murder case as the prosecution failed to prove the crime. According to police, a case was registered against the suspect in Shah Faisal Colony police station. The suspect was accused of murdering Khwaja Wahabuddin in 2011.

Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered the establishment of a model court in each district of the province. The model courts are formed for the expeditious disposal of old murder and narcotics cases keeping in consideration Articles 37(d) [requiring the State to ensure inexpensive and expeditious justice] and 10-A [pertaining to the right to fair trial] of the Constitution. These courts have been established throughout the country following a decision of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee.



According to a notification issued by the SHC on March 18, the first additional district and sessions judge will preside over the model courts across the province.

These model courts will deal with cases on a daily basis and decide matters within three months. The federal and provincial governments have been asked to assist the model courts in their expeditious disposal of cases.

The first model court was formed in East district and announced its first verdict on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2019.