RAWALPINDI: On the instructions of the Islamabad High Court, the district and sessions courts ordered the immediate release of 41 children from Adiala jail. The orders were issued by the courts of the federal capital’s sessions judges east and west.
The step has been taken after IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and other judges visited Adiala jail on Saturday.
The high court had directed measures for the problems faced by the prisoners in Adiala jail and their solutions.
The district administration of Islamabad also provided a new bus for the appearance of juvenile prisoners in the courts. Sources said other cases of juvenile inmates would also be dealt with in the next few days.
According to the sources, the vice chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University has also expressed his willingness to take further steps to provide medical facilities to the prisoners. The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) has also been recommended to open a shop in the jail.
The CSD is a chain of retail stores headquartered in Rawalpindi. It is run by the defence ministry and currently manages 108 stores, making it the second largest retail chain in the country after Utility Stores Corporation.
It is committed to serving armed forces personnel, civil employees, residents and their dependents throughout the country.
The purpose of the shop is to help inmates in providing essential commodities at market rates.
Complaints were received about the alleged torture of prisoners in Adiala jail and receiving money from them.
The IHC had taken strict notice of the complaints of the prisoners. After the IHC chief Justice’s visit, steps are being taken on an emergency basis to resolve the grievances of the prisoners.
Recently, seven officials including an assistant superintendent of Adiala jail were removed from service after they were found guilty of corrupt practices, mistreating and torturing prisoners.
At least 10 other officials at Adiala were transferred to Gujarat jail for their involvement in the ill-treatment of jail inmates.
Complaints of alleged ill-treatment and torture of inmates and malpractices in Adiala jail came to the fore recently after a woman approached the IHC, accusing the jail authorities of manhandling and torturing her son.
On October 25, the IHC had ordered action against the IG prisons Punjab and Adiala jail superintendent over the alleged ill-treatment of prisoners.
While directing the federal government to set up a human rights court within a week, the court said a trial of human rights violations would be held in the special court. The court had also directed to set up a complaint cell in Adiala jail. –Agencies
