Tribesman released after detention for 10 years without trial

Atribesman met his family members after 10 years in detention without trial under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).

Gul Deenar, a resident of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber district, was released by the district administration after 10 years, when a regular court established by the Peshawar High Court, in the wake of abolition of the FCR in the newlymerged district, issued his release order on bail.

His two children did not recognise Deenar as they were aged two and four years at the time he was detained.

Khyber district Sessions Judge Shahid Khan expressed concern over Deenar’s 10 years detention without trial.

During arguments, Shabbir Hussain Gigyani, counsel for the detainee, submitted before the bench that the petitioner was picked up on June 26, 2009 and kept for nine years in illegal custody.

He said that after nine years, his family members finally came to know in 2017 that he is alive and in the custody.

The lawyer informed the court that the family of the petitioner tried its best to locate him, but nobody informed them about his whereabouts.

He stated that recently the petitioner was shifted to Peshawar Central Prison, and that too without being convicted and merely for confinement without any reason.

The lawyer submitted that the petitioner’s fundamental and constitutional rights were violated and therefore, he ought to be released on bail.

In the petition, it was submitted that admittedly there is no evidence against the petitioner to show his involvement in terrorist activities.

Gigyani submitted that the respondents committed an illegal act to keep the petitioner in illegal confinement for such a long period of time.

The state lawyer opposed bail for the petitioner, claiming that Deenar was charged with and involved in terrorist activities.

However, he failed to prove the charges due to lack of evidence.

The court issued release order of the petitioner on bail from the Peshawar Central Prison.