SHERAZ AHMAD and others vs FAYYAZ-UD-DIN and others

This matter came before the Supreme Court of Pakistan by way of a petition for leave to appeal challenging a judgment of the High Court concerning the acquittal of the accused under Section 249-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898. The core legal issue pertained to the propriety of acquitting an accused under Section 249-A, Cr.P.C. solely on the ground of the pendency of a civil suit regarding the same transaction. During the hearing, upon the indication that such an acquittal was improper and that the High Court's interference would not be disturbed on merits, counsel for the petitioners agreed not to press the petition on merits, provided that the criminal proceedings were stayed pending the outcome of the civil dispute. Counsel for the caveator raised no objection to this resolution. Consequently, the Supreme Court converted the petition into an appeal, modified the High Court's judgment by directing that the criminal proceedings remain stayed until the civil dispute is finally disposed of, and disposed of the appeal accordingly with no order as to costs.