Handcuffed women in Rawalpindi courts spark lawyers’ protest

Female suspects being transported from Adiala Jail to courts in Rawalpindi are being brought before judges in handcuffs, prompting protests from the District Bar Association and senior lawyers.

As per the details, lawyers have challenged the practice, saying that the use of handcuffs on women is prohibited by law and the Constitution.

They also described it as unethical, inhuman and contrary to Islamic principles.

Meanwhile, women appearing in court told media that they remained handcuffed for six to seven hours, from their removal from jail and presentation before the court to their return to the prison.

The accused said the restraints had made routine activities difficult. They also said they were unable to properly adjust their dupattas or shawls if they slipped from their heads and faced difficulties using washrooms.

Meeting children who travelled to court to see them had also become difficult, they added.

The women further alleged that boarding and leaving police vans had become problematic with both hands restrained.

They claimed male police officers sometimes held them from behind while assisting them into vans and held their hands while helping them out, which they said left them exposed.

According to the women, the practice was being followed only in Rawalpindi and no woman had previously escaped from police custody.

Senior lawyer Shan Zaib Khan said the Constitution and law prohibited and criminalised the handcuffing of women and children.

He said lawyers were preparing to approach the high court against the police officer who issued the order.

Khan also said the Constitution did not permit women to be sentenced to death and described the order requiring women to be handcuffed with both hands as unlawful.

He attributed the order to CPO Rawalpindi and called for it to be withdrawn immediately.

District Bar Association President Malik Sajid Tariq Awan also opposed the practice, describing it as a violation of the Constitution.

He said the bar was protesting against the measure and could approach the chief justices of the Supreme Court and high court if it continued.

The women said they had protested to police but were told the handcuffing was being carried out on the CPO’s orders and that officers risked losing their jobs if they refused.