Zaka Ullah Khan vs The State

This criminal petition arises from a request for post-arrest bail by the petitioner, who was charged with firing shots at an injured party. The core legal question before the Lahore High Court was whether the petitioner was entitled to bail despite being named in the First Information Report with a specific role and the offence falling within the prohibitory clause of the relevant criminal procedure statute. The State opposed the bail, arguing that the petitioner's specific role and the nature of the offence precluded relief. Upon review, the Court observed that although the petitioner fired shots, they did not strike the victim's body, merely hitting his clothes. Furthermore, the petitioner had been incarcerated for four months, and the investigation was complete. The Court held that the petitioner's case warranted further inquiry. Consequently, the petition was accepted, and the petitioner was granted bail subject to furnishing a surety bond. The key principle established is that where shots fired do not result in physical injury and the accused has been detained for a significant period, the case may be considered one of further inquiry for bail purposes.