211 accused file bail applications

Judicial sources say 151 inmates released on bail since start of Ramazan

RAWALPINDI:

As many as 211 prisoners have moved various courts in the district seeking bail to celebrate Eid with their families and loved ones.

Ahead of every Eid, the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench and all lower courts of the district approve bail pleas of prisoners convicted in minor cases on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of clemency.

According to sources, only those involved in minor cases will be eligible for clemency while those arrested in cases of serious nature will only be heard on merit.

Meanwhile, the courts have been asked to decide on all the bail applications filed on the 20th of Ramazan till the 30th of the holy month.

The courts have also been asked to hear the pleas on a daily basis until Chand Raat. According to judicial sources, since the 1st of Ramazan, various courts have granted bail to 151 accused and ordered their release. Moreover, approximately 200 accused are likely to get bailed by the courts by the end of the fasting month.

They said jail superintendents have already been ordered to comply with court orders and release those whose bails have been approved.

On the other hand, sources said Rawalpindi and Islamabad's district and sessions judges will visit the Adiala Central Jail on Friday and Saturday.

Prisoners convicted of minor crimes will be released on personal payrolls during their visit. Sources said orders have also been issued to prepare the lists of such inmates.

Meanwhile, the family courts have ordered parents to immediately pay the Eid expenses to children living with their mothers. Divorced couples have also reached family courts for Eid meetings with their children. The two-hour meetings will start this week, sources said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2023.