MAQSOOD AHMAD vs STATE
This matter concerns an application for post-arrest bail brought by the petitioner in a case registered under Sections 17 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979 at Police Station FIA (PC) Gujranwala. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner fraudulently received money and a passport from the complainant to secure employment abroad in Saudi Arabia, from where the complainant returned after three months. The core legal question was whether the petitioner was entitled to post-arrest bail considering the delay in lodging the FIR, discrepancies in prosecution statements, and non-submission of the police report. The High Court granted post-arrest bail, holding that an unexplained 1.5-year delay in lodging the FIR, a discrepancy between the FIR and complainant's oral statement regarding the amount paid, and prolonged detention in judicial lock-up without submission of the challan under Section 173 Cr.P.C. rendered the case one of further inquiry. The Court established that unexplained delay in registration of FIR and failure to submit the challan within statutory timeframes entitle an accused to bail under the doctrine of further inquiry.
- Whether an unexplained long delay in lodging an FIR brings the case of an accused within the ambit of further inquiry for the grant of post-arrest bail?
- Does a contradiction between the amount alleged in the FIR and the complainant's statement in court justify the grant of bail on grounds of further inquiry?
- Whether prolonged custody in judicial lock-up without the submission of a police report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. entitles an accused to post-arrest bail?
- Section 17, Emigration Ordinance 1979
- Section 22, Emigration Ordinance 1979
- Section 173, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
The petitioner has applied for post arrest bail in case FIR No. 456/2005 dated 28.10.2005 under Sections 17 and 22 of Emigration Ordinance, 1979 registered at Police Station FIA (PC) Gujranwala.
2. As per FIR petitioner received Rs. 1,72,000/- and passport from complainant (Muhammad Yaqoob) for sending him abroad (Saudi Arabia) for employment. The petitioner sent him to Saudi Arabia but after three months he returned. The case was registered on 28.10.2005 and petitioner was accordingly arrested on 16.2.2006. Hence this bail application.
3. I have heard the arguments and perused the record.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case. Further submits that there is delay of 1% years in lodging the FIR and the same has not been explained by the complainant, which makes the prosecution story doubtful. He contended that according to record complainant was sent abroad by Alliance Enterprises, Karachi and that petitioner never sent him abroad. He further contended that complainant went abroad on a valid permit to work as Barber, therefore, no offence is made out against the petitioner. He has argued that petitioner is not previous convict and he is in judicial lock up since 16.2.2006 but challan has not been submitted in Court so far, therefore, he deserves concession of bail.
5. On the other hand learned counsel for the complainant as well as State have opposed this application on the grounds that petitioner is named in FIR; that he received Rs. 1,72,000/- from complainant; that actually he is recruiting agent and that he had executed agreement dated 9.12.2004 in favour of complainant for payment of Rs. 1,72,000/-.
6. I have considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties with care. The allegation against the petitioner is that he received Rs. 1,72,000/- and passport from the complainant for sending him abroad (Saudi Arabia) for employment and sent him to Saudi Arabia but after three months he returned. There is unexplained delay of 1 years in lodging the FIR and petitioner is entitled to get benefit of the same. The petitioner is in judicial lock up since 16.2.2006 but according to 10 challan has not been submitted in Court so far. Muhammad Yaqoob, complainant who is present in Court alongwith his counsel states that he had paid Rs. 1,20,000/- to ,petitioner. However according to FIR he paid him Rs. 1,72,000/-. As such in the, circumstances of the case I find that the case of petitioner is that of further enquiry. Moreover he is in judicial lock up since 16.2.2006 but challan has not been submitted in Court so far. Kausar Mehmood, SI/I0 states that petitioner is not previous convict. In these circumstances without going into merits of the case, I find it a fit case for grant of bail to the petitioner. As such application brought by him is accepted and he is allowed bail subject to furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs. 80,000/- (rupees eighty thousand only) with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of learned trial Court.
However if petitioner fails to appear before learned trial Court on any date of hearing the trial Court would be competent to cancel his bail. The observations made in this order would not prejudice case of either party during trial.
7. The concerned Director FIA is directed to personally look into the matter and take legal action against the persons who are responsible for the delay in submitting the challan/report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. as required under the law. The compliance report shall be submitted to the Deputy Registrar (judicial) of this Bench within fifteen days.