Coronavirus: Decision to release prisoners on bail involved in minor offenses

The Lahore High Court has decided to grant bail to under-trial prisoners accused of minor crimes amid coronavirus fear.

The court has directed to file bail applications for the release of such prisoners.

In a letter sent to all session judges, the DG District Judiciary has directed that the concerned superintendents be directed to file bail applications.

DG District Judiciary has issued a summary to all Sessions Judges of the province, which states that bail applications for prisoners, juveniles and women prisoners should be filed in the relevant sessions courts.

The letter states that the bail pleas of the perpetrators up to the sentence of 7 years should be filed directly to the Lahore High Court while the trial court will have the discretion that after the bail is granted, the accused as to be released on personal bail. Or bail bonds.

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The letter further said that such prisoners should be ordered to remain in isolation for up to 2 weeks while the concerned DPOs will monitor the release of prisoners from the prison adding that the instructions would not apply to those convicted or under trial in terrorism cases.

The death toll due to novel coronavirus in Pakistan has risen to nine after another coronavirus patient died in federal capital Islamabad.

The country also reported its eighth death from the virus on Wednesday.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Punjab had reported its first death from the virus.

On Sunday, Balochistan had reported its first death, a 65-year-old man, who under treatment at the Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital.

Earlier, a doctor from Gilgit Baltistan, fighting against the virus on the frontlines, reported as the fifth casualty.

On Sunday, March 22, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir had announced the country’s fourth death from the virus.

On March 20, Pakistan had recorded its third death from the virus. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had confirmed the death of a 77-year-old COVID-19 patient in the province.

Furthermore Two patients from KP who tested positive for the coronavirus reported as the country’s first two deaths.