Release undertrial prisoners on bail: IHC

IHC Chief Justice appoints the capital’s DC as the focal person to identify eligible prisoners

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday ordered to release prisoners, accused of minor crimes, on personal surety from the Adiala Jail in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah has appointed the federal capital’s deputy commissioner as the focal person to identify prisoners eligible for release on bail.

Justice Minallah ruled that if a prisoner cannot arrange personal surety, the government will make the necessary arrangements.

While hearing the conducted hearing on a case about 1,362 prisoners being incarcerated in overcrowded jails, Justice Minallah said that the Adiala Jail can house 2,500 people whereas over 5,000 inmates are currently crammed in its narrow cells.

IHC chief justice directed the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat to appoint an officer to oversee matters about surety bonds of the detainees.

Before releasing a prisoner, proper screening shall be conducted by officials nominated by the Ministry of National Health Services or the Director General (Health), Government of Pakistan, as the case may be.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2020.