Prisoner torture case: IHC orders representative of ministry of human rights to visit Adiala jail

ISLAMABAD, SEP 21 (ONLINE): Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered representative of ministry of human rights, human rights commission to visit Adiala jail in connection with case pertaining to alleged violence against a prisoner in Adiala jail.

The court has ordered ministry of human rights to file medical checkup report of the prisoner from the medical team today.

The case came up for hearing before single bench of IHC led by Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah Wednesday.

The CJ IHC while expressing annoyance with ministry of human rights authorities at the inception of hearing over non implementation of court decision inquired what the ministry of human rights has done so far in the perspective of court’s decision. Only the reports will not work.

Additional superintendent Syed Kashif Ali and Additional Attorney General (AAG) Munawwar Iqbal Dogal appeared in the court.

Additional Superintendent Adiala Jail (ASAJ) told the court 6 cases are registered against this prisoner since 2019.

The CJ Inquired was he awarded punishment in any case.
ASAJ told the court he has not been convicted so far in any case.
CJ IHC remarked rights of the prison are there. His mother has leveled serious allegation.

ASAJ told the court according to medical report he is fit and his finger is not broken. Adiala Jail authorities presented the picture of the accused in the court.

The CJ IHC inquired from representative of human rights what happened about the commission on implementation of jail reforms. Human rights ministry has jurisdiction all over the country.

The CJ IHC inquired from the representative of human rights can you obtain report on the violation of human rights.

The CJ IHC inquired from parents of the prisoner why are you filing so much applications. This court cannot ignore the torture during detention. The matter is serious. If your plea proved wrong then it will not be good for your son.
The petitioner told the court the prisoner has been tortured. He has observed hunger strike due to torture.

The court while addressing Additional Attorney General (AAG) remarked there are rights of prisoners inside jail too. You have to proceed as per law. This court gave so much bigger decision and nothing was done over it. This court sent the matter to the then government. Still the prisoners are kept in the jails beyond their capacity. Has anyone inquired into it so far. Has any one called medical report? When you call report from jail authorities they will send the same report. Is it not responsibility of state. Those people are in jail who have no voice. Have the under trial and convicted prisoners been separated.

Jail authorities told the court under trial and convicted prisoners have been kept separately.

The court remarked what happens in the jail is reality. Majority of them are those who are voiceless. You cannot beat a prisoner even if his conduct is not good. There are several other methods to stop it. This is not the only one complaint but there are serious complaints against Adiala jail. What happened with other complaints pertaining to the business running inside?

The court adjourned the hearing of the case till today (Thursday).

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