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In a move to simplify the bail bond deposit process, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has introduced a deposit slip mechanism for applicants.
Applicants or their family members can now deposit cash directly into designated bank accounts after securing bail from lower courts.
The new process has been rolled out at the City Courts, which include the South, East, West, and Central districts. It has also been implemented at the District Courts in Malir.
According to SHC officials, the system may expand further to other districts, depending on local needs.
Previously, courts accepted surety bonds or national savings certificates. However, this required the submission and verification of property or vehicle documents, a process often slowed by valuation checks. The deposit slip system eliminates these steps, improving efficiency.
In January 2025, former Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui approved the mechanism at a private bank branch in City Courts.
Following this decision, the SHC registrar issued instructions to district and sessions judges for implementation. Judicial officers received formal guidance to enforce the procedure.
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By March, after the relocation of the bank branch, the SHC nominated the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) City Courts Branch to handle the deposits. Separate accounts titled “Surety Account” were opened for each judicial district. On August 6, the SHC extended this system to Malir through a formal circular.
Step-by-Step procedure for depositors
To use the system, a surety must collect a voucher from the relevant court. This document, signed and stamped by the Clerk of Court (COC), must be presented at the NBP branch. Once the deposit is made, the bank receipt becomes the official proof of surety after court verification.
The voucher includes key case information such as:
- Court name
- Case number
- FIR number
- Police station
- Offence details
This ensures transparency and accuracy in each transaction.
The Karachi Bar Association (KBA) welcomed the change. General Secretary Rehman Korai confirmed that the KBA had requested the SHC to implement this system. According to him, lawyers and clients previously faced delays and issues due to fake sureties and limited access to government securities.
Korai emphasized that the deposit slip process is faster, easier, and more transparent. He noted that both lawyers and litigants are already benefiting from the improved system.
