Adiala inmates seek bail in droves
PHOTO: EXPRESS
Accused persons locked up in Adiala Jail have started filing bail applications in large numbers in Sessions, Civil, Magistrate, Special Courts and the High Court based on “Special Eid of Mercy”.
The applications have been allowed in consideration of the blessed month of Ramazan and the upcoming Eidul Fitr celebration, which inmates would like to spend with their families.
It is a judicial tradition that every year on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, all courts grant bail to the accused in all cases except for serious cases, based on humanitarian compassion and the merciful spirit of Eid.
A total of 194 bail applications have been filed in the concerned courts between the 1st and 10th of Ramazan. Records of the cases have been sought from the relevant investigation teams while accepting the applications for hearing.
Regular hearings of bail applications will start from March 25 and verdicts will be given from Monday onwards. Meanwhile, the bail applications of another 1,000 to 2,000 accused are already being processed.
Two Division Benches and four Single Benches have been formed in the Rawalpindi High Court Bench for the hearing and decisions of these guarantees. Appeals against short sentences are also being heard in the High Court.
The senior judge of the High Court Rawalpindi Bench, Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, has directed all subordinate judiciary of Rawalpindi Division to decide on bail applications in all cases filed till Eid. Regular hearings of all bail applications will be held from next court week starting March 25. Bail applications shall in no case be delayed for more than one or two days.
The High Court has issued instructions to ensure the release of the accused from the jail on the same day while the District and Sessions Judges of Rawalpindi District and Islamabad will also pay a special visit to Adiala Jail on the first Friday and Saturday of April during which the accused arrested in minor crimes will be released immediately on personal guarantees.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2024.