The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered the release of 24 accused arrested in various corruption-related references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
A single bench of the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued these orders in the wake of increasing spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.
According to the details, the IHC bench ordered the release of accused persons including Hussain Lawai, Taha Raza, Liaquat Qaimkhani, Mustafa Zulqarnain, and others.
The accused were facing their trial for various offences including corruption in the fake bank accounts case and the rental power case, and others.
The anti-graft watchdog opposed the decision as additional prosecutor of the bureau requested the court to arrange coronavirus testing of the suspects on an immediate basis.
Justice Athar remarked that why you want to keep under-trial suspects in detention and if the virus spreads to other prisoners, while the test results are awaited then who would be responsible.
The IHC CJ added that under trial suspects were considered innocent until the trial was concluded.
He advised the prosecution to build up solid cases against suspects and provide evidence in court.
He maintained that the maximum penalty in those cases was imprisonment of up to 14 years not the death penalty.
He continued that unfortunately, the courts had to do the work that should be done by the executive.
Later, the court issued orders for the release of 24 accused arrested on corruption charges.