LAHORE: The Lahore High Court’s Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq has emphasized the necessity of updating the criminal justice system’s communication techniques.
The judge pointed out that it frequently wastes important court time when case records are not sent to prosecutors promptly.
During the hearing of a post-arrest bail petition, the judge noticed a female deputy prosecutor general making haphazard attempts to gather information in order to answer the court’s questions.
When questioned by the court, the prosecutor stated that the case’s record had just been presented to her.
The judge had summoned Punjab’s prosecutor general because he was frustrated with the response and the waste of the court’s valuable time.
The practice of physically delivering documents that could be shared electronically was criticized by Justice Rafiq.
In order to resolve this matter, the judge ordered the Punjab prosecutor general to establish policies that guarantee police personnel provide prosecutors with thorough fact sheets and progress reports at least one day before hearings via WhatsApp or other authorized technological channels.
The prosecutor general was also directed by the judge to set up a system for acquiring the WhatsApp numbers of police officers who are in charge of presenting documents in court. Prosecutors must have access to these numbers in order to promote real-time communication and guarantee that case details are submitted on time.
The court observed that this strategy would improve the efficiency of prosecution operations and save judicial time.
As required by the Punjab Criminal Prosecution Service Act of 2006, Justice Rafiq emphasized the significance of prosecutors using their authority independently and in the public interest.
He also emphasized the necessity of taking disciplinary action against anyone who fails to follow these rules.
RECORDED: In two cases, including the burning of the Shadman police station, an anti-terrorism court has called the investigating officers and prosecution witnesses of the alleged May 9 riot conspiracy for cross-examination.
Inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, the hearing was presided over by ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill.
Four prosecution witnesses in the police station attack case were cross-examined by the defense.
In a separate case involving burning police cars close to Jinnah House on May 9, eight additional prosecution witnesses were cross-examined.
Twelve prosecution witnesses were cross-examined by the defense attorneys.
The judge postponed the jail trail’s remaining sessions until July 28.
Punjab President Dr. Yasmin Rashid and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi were among the jailed accused who attended the session.
Fourteen of the suspects in the Shadman police attack case have been deemed proclaimed criminals for failing to appear at the hearing after obtaining bail.
Two other cases, including the burning of police cars at Zaman Park, were also postponed until July 28 by the judge.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
