ABDUL RAZZAQ and 2 others vs STATE
This matter concerns a petition for post-arrest bail filed by three accused persons facing charges under Sections 148, 337-A(i), 337-A(ii), 337-F(i), 337-L(ii), 337-F(vi), 323, 149, and 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The core legal question was whether the petitioners were entitled to bail despite allegations of general beating and the subsequent registration of a new FIR (No. 170/09) against co-accused already released on bail. The Court held that the petitioners were entitled to bail, noting that no specific injury could be attributed to any individual accused and that the subsequent FIR appeared to be a tactical move to forestall bail. Emphasizing the rule of consistency, the Court observed that co-accused with similar roles had already been granted bail. Furthermore, the Court found that the petitioners, being in jail, could not be held responsible for the alleged subsequent misconduct of co-accused. Consequently, the bail was granted, establishing the principle that the rule of consistency applies where roles are indistinguishable and that unsubstantiated allegations of misusing bail concessions should not prejudice a pending bail application.
- Does the rule of consistency apply to co-accused persons when previous co-accused with similar roles have been granted bail?
- Can a subsequent FIR registered against co-accused for alleged misconduct be used to deny bail to petitioners who are currently incarcerated?
- Is bail appropriate when no specific injury can be attributed to any individual accused in a case of general beating?
- Section 148, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-A(i), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-A(ii), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-F(i), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-L(ii), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-F(vi), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 323, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 149, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 324, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 337-E(vi), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 427, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-H(2), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
Abdul Razzaq, Nadeem and Saeed Ahmad petitioners seek bail after arrest in case FIR No, 754/08 dated 6.10.2008 for offences under Sections 148/337-A(i)/337-A(ii)/337-F(i)/337-L(ii)/337- F(vi)/323/149 PPC registered at Police Station City Rai Wind, Lahore.
2. The ground urged for bail was that no specific role was attributed to any of the accused; that the allegation against them was of general beating; that the co-accused charged with similar role, were granted bail by this very Court on 17.2.2009 in Crl. Misc. No, 1260-B/09; that although the petitioners were allegedly armed with hatched but there were only two incised wounds which were simple in nature and on the rule of consistency, the present petitioners were also entitled to bail.
3. Bail was opposed by the learned Deputy Prosecutor General with the assistance by the learned counsel for the complainant urging that earlier the facts were not correctly placed before this Court; that photographic picture of seats of injuries could not be expected from the complainant or the PWs when they were surprised by all the accused while armed with hatchet and Sotas; that the offence under Section 324 PPC although added later, fell within the prohibitory clause of Section 497 Cr.P.C.; that the co-accused after having been released from jail, had attacked the complainant party whereupon FIR No, 170/09 was got registered on 2.3.2009 under Sections 427/148/149/337-H(2) PPC at Police Station City Rai Wind, Lahore and that in any case, the petitioners were not entitled to the grant of bail.
4. I have considered the arguments advanced by both the parties and perused the record.
5. There was only one injury warranting offence under Section 337-E(vi) PPC which could not be specifically attributed to any of the accused on the present showings. The argument of the learned counsel for the petitioners that FIR No, 170/09 referred to above was invented by the complainant party only to create a ground for forestalling the bail being sought by the petitioners, may not be altogether without force. In our society, it is not unusual to make complaints against the accused released on bail so as to show that he is misusing the concession. The investigation of FIR. No, 170/09 is still at fluid stage. In any case, the present petitioners were in jail and could not be comfortably indicated for the offence as contained in FIR No, 170/09. The complainant party has already moved cancellation of bail of those accused who were granted bail earlier by this Court.
The said matter will be considered on its own merits. As far as the present petitioners are concerned, they are in jail for the last more than five months. The trial is not in sight. Rule of consistency would apply on all fours. The question of vicarious liability of the petitioner will also be determined by the trial Court. Consequently, I admit the petitioners to bail subject to furnishing bail bonds in the sums of Rs, 1,00,000/- each with one surety or in the like amount each to the satisfaction of the trial Court.