The decision by a district sessions judge to allow for under-trial prisoners (UTPs) to be produced before the court through video link is a commendable step forward. As a result of this decision, UTPs will now be allowed to appear for their hearings via video link through Adiala Jail, instead of having to first be held in the poorly maintained and crowded Bakshi Khana in F-8 and then be brought to court, leading to logistical issues, not to mention the fuel cost incurred as a result. Under the new model, UTPs that have their cases fixed for evidence will still be produced before the court. A video link appearance is likely to take up less time of the court, provided all the technical details have been figured out in advance. Saving on costs, making the lives of UTPs and courts easier and allowing for a potentially efficient process is a worthwhile endeavour and one worth replicating.

Source: The Nation June 14, 2022 10:11 UTC