Call for fewer case adjournments

Legal wizards have demanded that the system of case adjournments in the district courts must be minimised as cases often drag on due to frequent adjournments.

The lawyers have expressed these views in light of the recently released data regarding adjudication of cases by the district and sessions courts of Rawalpindi, during the first six months of the ongoing year.

Talking to The Express Tribune, several lawyers pointed out that a significant number of investigating officers in serious crime cases retire due to these adjournments, leading to a lack of interest in the case and testimony becoming accused-friendly.

They suggested that decisions should be made before the retirement of the investigating officer. “Officers should not be involved in serious case investigations for two years after retirement, or their testimony should be completed two to three months before retirement,” Advocate Shan Zeb Khan said. “The trial mechanism after the investigation needs a complete overhaul. There should not be 30 to 60 witnesses in serious cases if solid witnesses are available for each aspect of the testimony, reducing the number of witnesses to around 10,” he added. “Poor police testimony is also a major reason for the acquittal of the accused.”

According to the data, the District and Sessions Courts of Rawalpindi delivered verdicts in 10,288 cases out of a total of 52,133 pending session cases during the first six months of 2024, from January 1 to June 30. Among these, 842 accused were convicted, while 2,740 were acquitted. In 210 cases, reconciliation occurred between the accused and the complainant.

The overall conviction rate was 8.18%, while the acquittal rate stood at 26.63%. As of now, 41,845 cases are still pending.

According to session records, 501 murder cases were heard during this period, resulting in 63 verdicts, with convictions in five cases and acquittals in 18 cases. Out of 1,176 attempted murder cases, 147 were decided, with three convictions, 24 acquittals and the remaining cases ending in reconciliation.

In 1,400 traffic accident cases, 23 were decided, with no convictions and all acquittals. Out of 3,240 robbery and looting cases, 1,036 verdicts were pronounced, with two convictions, 262 acquittals, and the rest ending in settlement. Of 10,604 theft and lock-breaking cases, 3,270 were decided, resulting in 145 convictions, 306 acquittals, and the rest released on settlement.

In 885 kidnapping cases, 25 were decided, with no convictions, 10 acquittals and the rest settled. Out of 170 rape cases, 29 were decided, with no convictions, 21 acquittals and the remaining ending in settlement. Out of 3,085 fraud cases, 424 were decided, with 7 convictions, 74 acquittals, and the rest settled. Out of 2,144 drug cases, 352 were decided, with 51 convictions and 142 acquittals.

During this period, eight accused were sentenced to death, six were sentenced to life imprisonment, and 1,203 were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from six months to 14 years. A total fine of more than Rs22 million was imposed.