Bail is granted in accordance with law, not policy: SC.

ISLAMABAD -- Raising questions over the release of under-trial prisoners (UTPs) by the high courts to prevent them from contracting coronavirus, the Supreme Court (SC) noted on Friday that the courts do not grant bail on the basis of any policy but only in accordance with law.

A two-judge SC bench, comprising by Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin rejected to grant bail of an accused inmate on the basis of delay in the trial.

Mir Masood Sattar is accused of being involved in a corruption case and is behind bars for one year.

The counsel of the accused prayed upon the court that as a matter of policy due to coronavirus, the high courts are granting bail to the accused prisoners in the offences wherein sentence is not more than 10 years.

Upon this, the bench remarked that the courts grant bail in accordance with the law rather than any policy.

Justice Amin also questioned whether Italy, France and USA released all prisoners due to coronavirus.

The apex court ordered the government to conduct full screening of all prisoners as a precautionary measure.

After the court proceedings, a senior government law...