RIZWAN vs THE STATE
This is a post-arrest bail application filed by the petitioner, Rizwan, who is accused of committing sodomy under Section 12 of the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979, read with Section 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner, along with a co-accused, forcibly took the minor complainant into a crop field and subjected him to sodomy. The petitioner sought bail on the grounds that the medical evidence contradicts the ocular version presented in the First Information Report. Specifically, the medico-legal report noted no marks of violence on the victim's body, and the Chemical Examiner's report confirmed that the anal swabs were not stained with semen. The Court held that the discrepancy between the positive allegations in the First Information Report and the negative findings in the medical and chemical reports rendered the petitioner's case one of further inquiry. Consequently, the Court admitted the petitioner to bail, finding that the evidentiary conflict justified the grant of relief pending trial.
- Does a conflict between the ocular version in an FIR and the medical evidence constitute grounds for further inquiry in a bail application?
- Is a petitioner entitled to bail when the Chemical Examiner's report fails to corroborate allegations of sodomy?
- Can the absence of marks of violence on a victim's body in a medico-legal report support a plea for further inquiry in a criminal case?
- Section 12, Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance 1979
- Section 377, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
This is bail after arrest application in case F.I.R. No. 220 of 2003, dated 11-8-2003, under section 12 Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979, read with section 377, P.P.C. Of Police Station Kallur Kot, District Bhakkar.
2. According to the prosecution allegations on 11-8-2003 at about 2-00 p.m. While Asad complainant who is student of 4th class was on way to his house, the petitioner alongwith his co- accused Saeed who was armed with airgun accosted him and forcibly took him into the "Bajra Crop". The petitioner felled the complainant on the ground and after removing his shalwar subjected him to sodomy, whereas, Saeed co-ccused stood as a guard. On the alarm raised by the victim, his brother Muhammad Arshad and Sabir Hussain P.Ws were attracted and seeing them, the petitioner made good his escape.
3. It is contended on behalf of the petitioner that in the F.I.R. a positive allegation had been levelled that the petitioner had subjected him to sodomy, whereas, in the medico-legal report, no marks of violence were found on the person of the victim and his swab sent to the Chemical Examiner for detection of semen, were also found not to be stained with semen and therefore, the medical evidence in this case is in conflict with the ocular version and the case of the petitioner has become a matter of further inquiry.
4. In the F.I.R. The victim had levelled positive allegations that the petitioner had subjected him to sodomy. The victim was medically examined on the same day, but the Medical Officer did not observe any mark of violence on any part of the victim's body and anal swabs were also taken and sent to the office of Chemical Examiner for detection of semen and the report of the Chemical Examiner indicates that they were not stained with semen, therefore, the ocular version and the medical evidence are in conflict with each other which makes the case of the petitioner a matter of further inquiry and as such, he is admitted to bail in the sum of Rs.50,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court.