Rawalpindi courts see spike in bail pleas

Over 1,200 applications have been filed since the start of Ramazan

RAWALPINDI:

With the start of Ramazan, courts across Rawalpindi, including the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court and 100 session, civil, and special courts, have witnessed a surge in bail applications as detainees seek to celebrate Eid with their families.

Between the first and sixth day of Ramazan, 1,272 bail applications have been filed across various courts.

The courts have admitted all applications for hearing and have summoned police records for review.

Among the cases, 510 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested in connection with protests on November 24 and 26 have filed for bail. Another 760 detained workers are expected to submit applications later this week. Regular hearings on these cases will begin on Monday, March 10.

Each year, during Ramazan, courts tend to grant bail with leniency for most routine cases, excluding serious offences, leading to record numbers of bail approvals.

In line with this, the chief justice of the Lahore High Court has directed all courts to expedite bail applications and acquittal requests based on insufficient evidence.

From the 15th of Ramazan onwards, high courts and session courts are expected to decide on bail applications daily, ensuring minimal delays. Government prosecutors have been instructed to be present in court to handle these applications efficiently.

Speaking on the matter, District Bar President Sardar Manzar Bashir and High Court Bar President Ahsan Hamid Lillah revealed that an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 bail applications are expected to be filed and processed during Ramadan this year.