Muhammad Ashraf And Another vs The State
The petitioners sought post-arrest bail in a case registered under Sections 324, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, following an incident of cross-firing between two parties. The core legal question was whether the petitioners were entitled to bail given the existence of cross-versions, injuries sustained by both sides, and the lack of recovered crime empties. The court held that where cross-firing occurs and both parties sustain injuries, the determination of the aggressor party requires further inquiry. The court observed that the injuries attributed to the petitioners were on non-vital parts of the victims' bodies, while the injuries on the petitioners' side were on vital parts, making the case one of further inquiry. Furthermore, the prosecution's failure to recover crime empties from the scene of the alleged indiscriminate firing was noted as a significant lapse. Consequently, the court admitted the petitioners to post-arrest bail, establishing the principle that in cases of cross-versions and mutual injuries, the question of aggression is a matter for trial, warranting the concession of bail pending further inquiry.
- Does the existence of a cross-version and injuries on both sides in a criminal case constitute grounds for further inquiry regarding bail?
- Is the failure of the prosecution to recover crime empties from the scene of an alleged shootout a relevant factor in determining bail?
- Should the determination of the aggressor party in a cross-firing incident be resolved at the bail stage or by the trial court?
- Section 324, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 148, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 149, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER MUHAMMAD ANWAR BHINDER, J. - Thepetitioners seek post-arrest bail in case F.I.R. No. 248/2007, dated 2.7.2007 registered under Sections 324, 148/149, P.P.C, at Police Station Satghar, District Okara.
2. Precise allegations against the petitioners are that they while -forming unlawful assembly had launched an attack on the complainant party resulting causing injuries to Shafqat and Bahadur Ali.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that it is a case of cross-fining between the parties and two of the accomplices of the petitioners Muhammad Bashir and Aziz also suffered injuries during cross-firing. Cross-version of the petitioners was also recorded by the police and was investigated, therefore, it is yet to be determined as to which one was the aggressor party. He further submits that inquiry attributed to the petitioners is on the non-vital part of the body of the injured person, therefore, under the circumstances petitioner's case is clearly fall within the ambit of further inquiry into their guilt, In support of his arguments he has relied upon the cases reported as Saeed and another v. The State (2008 P.Cr.L.J. 1139); Munir Ahmed and 10 others v. The State (2004 P.Cr.L.J. 1766); Muhammad Mumtaz v. The State {2004 P.Cr.L.J. 1875); Shabhir and another v.
The State (1997 P.Cr.L.J.112).
4. Learned counsel for the complainant opposes bail application of the petitioners and submits that it is a day light occurrence and there was no question of identification of the present petitioners who were fully identified and specific role has been assigned to them. He further submits that the petitioners are also nominated in the F.I.R. He further submits that the petitioners while sharing common intention and forming unlawful assembly had launched an attack on the complainant party resulting into causing injuries to Shafqat and Bahadur Ali, therefore, they are not entitled to the concession of bail.
5. Learned D.P.G, also opposes bail application of the petitioners and submits that one of the petitioners Muhammad Ashraf who has been nominated in the F.I.R, is found to be fully involved in the commission of offence as .12 bore gun was also recovered from him. As far as other petitioner Naseem Sadiq is concerned, no recovery has been effected from him, however, both the petitioners have been found guilty in police investigation, therefore, they are not entitled to be released on bail.
6. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for the complainant as well as learned D.P.G, and have also perused the record. There is no denying the fact that as per facts and circumstances of the case and available evidence, cross-firing, between the parties had taken place resulting into injuries on both the sides. Cross-version of the petitioners was also recorded by the police and was investigated. Injuries attributed to the petitioners are on the non-vital part of the body of Shafqat and Bahadar Ali, whereas injury suffered by Bashir Ahmed from petitioner's side is on the vital part of the body, therefore, possibility of self-infliction is very remote, In such like situation when cross-firing took place and both the parties suffered injuries case of the accused persons become that of further inquiry into their guilt and it is up to the Trial Court to determine as to which one was the aggressor party. Reliance can be placed on Shoaib Mehmood Butt v. Iftikhar- ui-Haq and 3 others (1996 SCM R 1845) and Sardar Munir Ahmed Dogar v. The State (PLD 2004 SC 822). Moreover, no crime empties were recovered from the place of occurrence which is also serious lapse on the part of the prosecution as indiscriminate firing from both the sides had taken place but no recovery of crime empties was effected from the place of occurrence, therefore, petitioner's case is that of further inquiry into their guilt. I, therefore, admit them to post-arrest bail subject to their furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs. 50,000/- with two sureties in the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court/Illaqa Magistrate.
Petition stands disposed of.