--ضمانت ، منظوری-- مزید تفتیش-- کپڑوں/کپاس میں بھگوئے ہوئے میتھامفیٹامین (برف) کی خلاف ورزی-پی ایف ایس اے (نارکوٹکس ڈپارٹمنٹ) میں علیحدگی کی سہولیات کی عدم دستیابی کی وجہ سے کپڑے/کپاس میں بھگوئے ہوئے میتھامفیٹامین ................

 دفعہ 497 (2)-- کنٹرول آف نارکوٹک سبسٹینس ایکٹ 

، (1997 کا XXV) دفعہ 9 (2) 9---ضمانت ، منظوری-- مزید تفتیش-- کپڑوں/کپاس میں بھگوئے ہوئے میتھامفیٹامین (برف) کی خلاف ورزی-پی ایف ایس اے (نارکوٹکس ڈپارٹمنٹ) میں علیحدگی کی سہولیات کی عدم دستیابی کی وجہ سے کپڑے/کپاس میں بھگوئے ہوئے میتھامفیٹامین (برف) کی مقدار کا تعین نہیں کیا جا سکا-- لہذا ، ہم تصدیق شدہ پارسل میں میتھامفیٹامین (برف) کی اصل مقدار فراہم کرنے سے قاصر ہیں-- پنجاب فارنسک سائنس ایجنسی (پی ایف ایس اے) کی رپورٹ لباس کے سامان میں جذب ہونے والے نفسیاتی مادے کی اصل مقدار کے بارے میں حتمی تعین فراہم کرنے میں ناکام رہی ، درخواست گزار کے خلاف مقدمہ مزید تفتیش کے دائرے میں داخل ہوتا ہے جیسا کہ سیکشن 497 (2) Cr.P.C کے تحت تصور کیا گیا ہے ۔- مبینہ طور پر برآمد شدہ نفسیاتی مادے کی درست مقدار کو قائم کرنے میں غیر یقینی صورتحال اضافی شواہد کی ریکارڈنگ کی ضرورت ہے ، کیونکہ موجودہ ریکارڈ بے نتیجہ ہے-اس کے نتیجے میں ، یہ ابہام عدالتی جانچ پڑتال کی ضمانت دیتا ہے ، معاملے کو گہری تعریف کے لیے کھلا چھوڑتا ہے ، یہ مشق مقدمے میں مکمل غور و فکر کے لیے محفوظ ہے-درخواست گزار اپنی گرفتاری کے بعد سے حراست میں رہا ہے ، اور تفتیشی ایجنسی کو مزید تفتیش کے لیے اس کی موجودگی کی ضرورت نہیں ہے-اس طرح ، اسے غیر معینہ مدت تک حراست میں رکھنے سے کوئی بامعنی مقصد پورا نہیں ہوگا-ضمانت کی اجازت ۔

PLJ 2025 Cr.C. 20
[Lahore High Court, Lahore]

Present: Ali Zia Bajwa, J.

HABIB-UR-REHMAN--Petitioner

versus

STATE and another--Respondents

Crl. Misc. No. 60701-B of 2024, decided on 1.11.2024.

Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (V of 1898)--

----S. 497(2)--Control of Narcotic Substances Act, (XXV of 1997),
S. 9(2)9--Bail, grant of--Further inquiry--Allegation of--Methamphetamine (Ice) soaked in clothes/cotton--The quantity of Methamphetamine (Ice) soaked in cloth/cotton could not be determined due to non-availability of separation facilities at PFSA (Narcotics Department)--So, we are unable to provide actual total quantity of Methamphetamine (Ice) in confirmed parcels--The report from Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) fails to provide a conclusive determination regarding actual quantity of psychotropic substance purportedly absorbed within clothing articles, case against petitioner enters realm of further inquiry as envisaged under Section 497(2), Cr.P.C.--The uncertainty in establishing precise quantity of alleged recovered psychotropic substance necessitates recording of additional evidence, as current record remains inconclusive--Consequently, this ambiguity warrants judicial scrutiny, leaving matter open to deeper appreciation, an exercise best reserved for thorough deliberation at trial--The petitioner has remained in custody since his arrest, and his presence is no longer required by investigating agency for further investigation--Thus, detaining him indefinitely would serve no meaningful purpose--Bail allowed.  [Pp. 21 & 22] A & B

Mr. Muzammal Shahzad Sial, Advocate for Petitioner.

Mr. Hammad Akbar Wallana, Special Prosecutor for ANF and Sumaira Yaseen Inspector/ANF with police record.

Mr. Sabir Saqlain, Legal Advisor PFSA, Khalida Sattar, Law Officer, PFSA, Muhammad Mubashar and Umar Sharif Ali Forensic Scientists.

Date of hearing: 1.11.2024.

Order

Through this petition filed under Section 497, Cr.P.C., the petitioner seeks his post-arrest bail in case FIR No. 52/2024, dated 13.06.2024, offence under Section 9(2)-9 of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 (hereinafter ‘the CNSA’) registered with Police Station A.N.F. Lahore.

2.       According to the crime report, upon receiving information from the Branch Manager of DHL Worldwide Express, an A.N.F. raiding team visited the office, where the Manager handed over a parcel to the complainant. This parcel had been booked by the petitioner for delivery to New Zealand. Upon inspection of the parcel, a quilt cover, bed sheet, cushion covers, oblong cushion covers, pillow covers, fabric, and cotton were found, all of which were allegedly soaked with methamphetamine (herein after “Ice”). The combined weight of these items was 12 kilograms.

3.       Arguments heard and the record perused.

4.       The recovered clothing items were sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) for analysis to detect the presence of the alleged psychotropic substance. The PFSA report reveals that, out of the twelve clothing items, only four contain Ice. Although the forensic report confirms that the four clothing items were saturated with the psychotropic substance known as Ice, it does not include a quantitative analysis to determine the exact amount of Ice present. This omission leaves the precise quantity of the psychotropic substance undetermined. Today, the Forensic Scientist from the Narcotics Department of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency appeared before the Court and submitted his report, which states as follows:

“The quantity of Methamphetamine (Ice) soaked in cloth/cotton could not be determined due to non-availability of separation facilities at PFSA (Narcotics Department). So, we are unable to provide the actual total quantity of Methamphetamine (Ice) in confirmed parcels.”

5.       In the context of narcotic substances analysis in Pakistan, particularly under the CNSA, the terms qualitative and quantitative tests refer to two key aspects of forensic testing conducted to determine the nature and quantity of narcotic substances in a sample. These tests are typically carried out by forensic labs and are crucial for evidence in narcotics cases. A qualitative test identifies the specific type of narcotic in a sample, confirming whether it is a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance under CNSA. Using advanced techniques such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy, the test reveals the substance’s unique chemical profile, verifying its nature and legality. On the other hand, a quantitative test determines the precise concentration of a narcotic in a sample, shaping the severity of penalties under the CNSA, where higher quantities lead

to stringent sentencing. Without a forensic report confirming the exact quantity, the prosecution may struggle to meet the evidentiary standards required for conviction and sentence.

6.       In the given circumstances, when the report from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) fails to provide a conclusive determination regarding the actual quantity of psychotropic substance purportedly absorbed within the clothing articles, the case against the petitioner enters the realm of further inquiry as envisaged under Section 497(2), Cr.P.C. The uncertainty in establishing the precise quantity of the alleged recovered psychotropic substance necessitates the recording of additional evidence, as the current record remains inconclusive. Consequently, this ambiguity warrants judicial scrutiny, leaving the matter open to deeper appreciation, an exercise best reserved for thorough deliberation at trial. The petitioner has remained in custody since his arrest, and his presence is no longer required by the investigating agency for further investigation. Thus, detaining him indefinitely would serve no meaningful purpose.

7.       For what has been discussed above, the petition in hand is allowed and the petitioner is admitted to post-arrest bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs. 2,00,000/-(rupees two lacs only) with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court. However, it is hereby clarified that should the petitioner fail to cooperate with the trial Court for an expeditious conclusion of the trial proceedings, such conduct shall be deemed a misuse of the concession of bail. In such an event, the State shall have the right to apply for the cancellation of his post-arrest bail.

(A.A.K.)          Petition allowed