PLJ 2026 Cr.C. (Note) 18
[Lahore High Court, Multan Bench]
Present: Shakil Ahmad, J.
versus
STATE and another--Respondents
Crl. Misc. No. 7664-B of 2023, decided on 13.11.2023.
Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (V of 1898)--
ایس ۔ 497-پاکستان پینل کوڈ ، 1860 (1860 کا ایکس ایل وی) ایس ۔ 376 ، 365-بی-گرفتاری کے بعد ضمانت-- اغوا-- یہ قانون کا قائم شدہ اصول ہے کہ ضمانت کے مرحلے پر بھی ملزم کے حق میں شک کا فائدہ بڑھایا جاسکتا ہے ۔-اگست سپریم کورٹ آف پاکستان نے فیصلہ دیا ہے کہ کسی بھی شک کا فائدہ ضمانت کے مرحلے پر بھی ملزم کو دیا جاسکتا ہے ۔-یہ قانون کا تسلیم شدہ اصول ہے کہ ایک بار ملزم/درخواست گزار کا معاملہ مزید تفتیش کا معاملہ بن جاتا ہے ، تو درخواست گزار گرفتاری کے بعد ضمانت دینے کا حقدار ہوگا ، فضل کے معاملے کے طور پر نہیں بلکہ حق کے معاملے کے طور پر-ضمانت کی اجازت ۔
----S. 497--Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860), Ss. 376, 365-B--Post-arrest bail of--Abduction--It is by now established principle of law that benefit of doubt can be extended in favour of accused even at bail stage--The august Supreme Court of Pakistan has held that benefit of any doubt can be extended to an accused even at bail stage--It is admitted principle of law that once case of accused/ petitioner becomes that of further inquiry, then petitioner would be entitled to grant of post-arrest bail not as a matter of grace but as a matter of right--Bail allowed. [Para 3] A, B & C
2022 SCMR 264; PLD 1985 SC 182; 1985 SCMR 382 &
PLD 2012 SCMR 222.
Rana Jahanzaib Khan, Advocate for Petitioner.
Mr. Ashfaq Ahmad, Deputy Prosecutor General for State.
Complainant in person.
Date of hearing: 13.11.2023.
Order
Through this petition, Fahad Ali Bhatti petitioner seeks post-arrest bail petition in FIR No. 1625 of 2023 dated 31.07.2023 registered at Police Station Shah Rukan-e-Alam, Multan for the offences under Sections 376, 365-B, PPC. Earlier application of the petitioner for the same relief was dismissed by learned Additional Sessions Multan vide order dated 26.09.2023.
2. Precisely, as per FIR, accused/petitioner along with co-accused abducted complainant’s daughter namely Mst. Rabia Bibi aged 12/13 years for the purpose of illicit intercourse with her.
3. Having heard the learned counsel for the parties, learned DPG and upon tentative assessment of material available on the record, it has been noticed that there is delay of twenty hours in lodging of FIR, which has not plausibly been explained. This delay casts a shadow of doubt upon the whole prosecution case. It is by now established principle of law that benefit of doubt can be extended in favour of the accused even at bail stage. In a recent case titled as “Dildar Ahmad vs. The State and others” (2022 SCMR 264), the august Supreme Court of Pakistan has held that benefit of any doubt can be extended to an accused even at bail stage. It may further be observed that allegation of abduction has been levelled against the petitioner in the FIR, however, the alleged victim Mst.Rabia Bibi, at the time of her medical examination, stated before the Medical Officer that she herself gone with her brother’s friend. Moreover, in her statement under Section 161 of Cr.P.C, the alleged victim did not raise any allegation of rape against accused/petitioner. These facts are sufficient to make case of accused/petitioner one of further inquiry into his guilt as contemplated under the provisions of Section 497, Cr.P.C. It is admitted principle of law that once the case of accused/ petitioner becomes that of further inquiry, then petitioner would be entitled to the grant of post-arrest bail not as a matter of grace but as a matter of right. Reliance in this regard be safely placed on the cases reported as “Muhammad Sadiq v. Sadiq and others” (PLD 1985 SC 182), “Ibrahim v. Hayat Gul and others” (1985 SCMR 382) and “Qamar alias Mitho v. The State and others” (PLD 2012 SC 222). Moreover, investigation of the case has already been finalized and person of petitioner is no longer required by the police for further investigation.
4. For the reasons recorded above, instant petition is allowed and petitioner is admitted to post arrest bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs. 2,00,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of learned trial Court.
(A.A.K.) Petition allowed
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