IHC seeks report on ‘ill-treatment’ of jail inmates

Court also seeks report from the head of Commission for Rights of Prisoners Shireen Mazari

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ordered an inquiry into the alleged corruption and ill-treatment of prisoners in Adiala ail.

The court also has sought a report from the head of Commission for Rights of Prisoners Shireen Mazari and the secretary of human rights.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the orders on a plea of prisoner Irfan Iqbal, who had lodged a complaint about alleged corruption and harsh treatment of prisoners in the jail. The complainant had taken the plea that influential prisoners were patronising the land mafia from within the jail while the poor prisoners faced ill-treatment and atrocities.

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The court said in its written order that it should be ensured that no one harassed the prisoner who has brought the matter to the notice of the court.

“The prisoner's plea indicates serious human rights violations are being committed in the jail. It seems that jails across the country are dominated by the elite. Protection of prisoners is the responsibility of the state, the majority of prisoners are not convicted, they are under trial who are considered innocent unless proved guilty,” the judge said. The court sought a report in this regard at the next hearing on January 12.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2021.