Adiala Jail boss faces contempt charges

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi Division Special Central Judge Amjad Ali Shah Saturday issued a contempt of court notice to the Adiala jail superintendent for failing to implement the decision regarding the commencement of all sentences pronounced under multiple provisions concurrently for non-payment of fines.

The superintendent has been summoned to appear personally before the court on June 4, along with a response to the contempt of court charge.

Earlier, Afzal Khan Jadoon Advocate filed a contempt of court petition, arguing that the court had previously ordered in the case of Atif Maqsood Bukhari vs Adiala jail superintendent that sentences for non-payment of fines should commence concurrently, similar to how punishments under different provisions, in any case, commence concurrently.

This judgment was to be applied to all accused, including the petitioner prisoner. However, the Adiala jail superintendent refused to accept this decision and did not release the petitioner, constituting contempt of court.

The court accepted the application for a hearing and issued a contempt of court notice to the Adiala jail superintendent.

In case of failure to appear before the court and submit a justifiable explanation, the judge is expected to take stern action against the accused and sentence him.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2024.