KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday directed all the commissioners and deputy commissioners (DCs) of the province to ensure screening of every accused and suspect before being sent to judicial custody.

They are also directed to send the reports to SHC within three days regarding screening of inmates and hygiene condition in the detention facilities of Sindh.

The SHC registrar through a communication said that he was directed to refer the issue of screening of the accused as precautionary measures to avoid spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the judicial lock-ups of Sindh to the commissioners and deputy commissioners.

In order to prevent spread of Covid-19 in the judicial detention facilities of the province, all the commissioners and DCs were directed that before being remanded to judicial lock-up, their tests for Covid-19 should be conducted, it added.

The commissioners and DCs were also directed to send the reports regarding spray in judicial lock-ups, supply of sanitizers, mask, gloves and screening/test of inmates for Covid-19 and submit the same to SHC within three days through the member inspection team (MIT-II) of the high court, it concluded.

Earlier, the SHC also issued directions to all the district and sessions judges of Sindh that if any suspect/accused was remanded to judicial custody by any magistrate/court, their screening/test for coronavirus should be performed, mentioning the same in remand orders.

The district judges were also asked to obtain reports from the jail superintendents regarding spray in jails, supply of sanitizers, face masks, gloves and screening of inmates and submit the same to the SHC within three days.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2020