High Court decides to conduct closed door detention extensions

The High Court has decided to conduct closed door hearings for cases of extension of detention.

As per the new regulation that will come into force tomorrow (January 28) presiding judges can decide on opening the court chambers for the public after considering the nature of the case – with the exception of murder, drugs and illegal substances, and child abuse cases, which are always closed.

In such instances where the court chambers are opened, only people closely related to the defendant and are not witnesses to the case will be allowed to observe the proceedings.

According to Article 42 (c) of the Constitution and Article 71 (b) of the Judicature Act, judges have the authority to conduct entire or parts of the trial proceedings without opening the chambers for public viewing.