231 prisoners granted bail ahead of Eid

The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench and all lower courts in the Rawalpindi district have approved bail applications of some 231 under-trail prisoners on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of clemency ahead of Eidul Fitr.

Since the onset of the fasting month, several under-trial prisoners had moved applications, seeking bail to celebrate Eid with their families and loved ones.

Courts also acquitted 110 suspects arrested on petty charges. Courts also released 85 suspects arrested in cases of gambling, drinking, possession of weapons, fighting, hawking, begging, flying and selling kites and fined them Rs5,000 to Rs15,000.

Thursday is the last day of courts and bail applications of a total of 61 under-trial prisoners will be heard by courts. Courts have also called records on all these cases.

The LHC Rawalpindi bench has also issued instructions to all lower courts to decide all bail applications today.

Sources said that all the courts will complete the hearing of bail applications of the under-trial prisoners on the last working day. They said jail superintendents have already been ordered to comply with court orders and release those whose bails have been approved.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.