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Kunar residents complain of graft in courts

Kunar residents complain of graft in courts

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9 Nov 2013 - 15:28
Kunar residents complain of graft in courts
author avatar
9 Nov 2013 - 15:28

ASADABAD (PAN): Residents of eastern Kunar province complain of rising corruption in judicial organs, but the chief judge promises prosecution of those involved in graft.

A resident of Asmar district, Abdul Wali, alleged bribery had been rampant in judicial departments, just like other government institutions, eroding public trust.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News a judge seeking bribes defamed the entire judicial administration. “Bribery has lately decreased in Kunar, but is yet to be eradicated.”

Watapur dweller Janat Fida claimed no file was processed as long as the staffers concerned were not bribed. Cases of the poor long remained unresolved. “A poor person is eventually forced to withdraw his/her case.”

In addition, a prisoner from a center prison of center capital city of Asadabad who has criminal dossier said, without money none of the work has been done.

He told Pajhwok: “Based on president decree the prisoners have been released and those who are eligible have been deprived of this decree, but those who give money will be released.”

An inmate of the Asadabad Central Jail also grumbled that litigation involved rampant bribes. “In compliance with presidential decrees, dreaded offenders are freed but poor small-time prisoners remain behind bars for years at a stretch.”

Kunar Court Chief Shamsur Rahman Raeeskhel, rejecting public complaints, said his doors had been open to all and everybody could share their grievances with him.

He explained complaints could reach him via a special toll-free phone number. The chief judge asked people to inform his department if judges and other justice-sector workers demanded bribes.

“I will take action against officials only if true evidence is brought against them,” he observed, saying that residents were free to approach the Supreme Court if they had any gripe against him.

In the first half of the current solar year, the court received 769 criminal and legal cases, as well as business disputes. In addition to litigants, commoners could also take part in open trials.

At open trials, the chief judge said, people came to know whether or not justice was done and how verdicts were handed down.

He insisted Kunar courts gave judgments without fear and in light of Afghanistan’s laws. “Although judges sense dangers, they pay cling to justice in announcing verdicts.”

fbr/mud

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