NAZAR MUHAMMAD alias IRFAN vs THE STATE
This is a criminal bail application filed before the Sindh High Court by the applicant seeking post-arrest bail in a case registered by the police involving allegations of preparation for dacoity and firing at the police party. The core legal question was whether the applicant was entitled to post-arrest bail where the incident involved ineffective firing, all witnesses were police officials despite the occurrence taking place in a public place, and no injuries or damages were sustained. The court held that the case called for further inquiry under Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, as the prosecution story was not free from doubt due to the lack of private witnesses and ineffective firing. The court laid down the principle that ineffective firing, coupled with the absence of independent corroboration in a public-place incident involving police witnesses, makes out a case of further inquiry warranting the grant of bail.
- Whether ineffective firing by an accused during an alleged encounter with police constitutes a ground for further inquiry under Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Can bail be granted when all prosecution witnesses are police officials and no private witnesses are associated despite the incident occurring in a public place in daylight?
- Does the absence of injuries to the police party or damage to police vehicles render the prosecution's case regarding an exchange of fire doubtful for the purpose of bail?
- Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
' AQEEL AHMED ABBASI, J.---Being aggrieved and dissatisfied by the order dated 25-10-2010, passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Shikarpur, Criminal Bail Application No, 1198 of 2010, whereby the applicant was declined bail; the applicant has approached this Court seeking bail.
2. Brief facts for the purpose of disposal of instant bail application and the prosecution story as stated in the F.I.R, is that on spy information, while patrolling on 12-10-2010, at 11-00 a.m. At various places the police party reached at Plaza Chowk, Shikarpur, where three accused persons, who as per spy information, were gathered with an intention to commit theft at Shahi Bagh, Shikarpur. As per police party, the said accused persons on seeing them took out pistols and started firing at police with an intention to kill them, Exchange of firing continued for about 10 to 15 minutes. During firing police caught hold of one of the accused (present applicant) along with T.T pistol, whereas two accused who were identified as Laloo son of Jan Muhammad and Asif son of Sahab escaped from the scene. Investigation was conducted, challan has been submitted and the present applicant is behind the bars since his arrest.
3. It is inter alia, contended by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the instant crime at the instance of police, whereas recovery has been foisted.
Per learned counsel the alleged incident never took place, whereas no one has received any arm injury in spite of allegation of cross firing between the accused and the police party, nor any damage has been caused to the police mobile. Per learned counsel no article whatsoever has been mentioned, which according to the police was being attempted to be robbed. All the prosecution witnesses are police officials, in spite of the fact that the alleged incident took place in a public place in daylight. Per learned counsel all the allegations contained in the F.I.R. Besides being false, either do not fall within prohibitory clause of section 497, Cr.P.C., or the ingredients of such allegations are not supported even from the prosecution story narrated in the F.I.R. Per learned counsel it can at best be termed as the case of ineffective firing, as no injury has been caused. In support of his contention learned counsel has placed reliance on the case of Muhammad Mujeeb v. The State (2009 SCM R 448).
4. Conversely learned State counsel has opposed the grant of bail and submitted that since the accused has been nominated in the F.I.R and no enmity between the police and the applicant has been alleged, therefore, bail may not be granted..
5. Heard learned counsel for the parties, perused the record. From tentative assessment of record, it appears that case has been registered at the instance of police. All the prosecution witnesses are police officials. No reason for non-associating private witness has been mentioned in spite of the fact that the alleged offence took place in day light at public place: No injury whatsoever has been caused to the police officials, nor any damage to the police mobile has been shown. As regards un-licensed pistol, a separate case has been registered. It further appears that application of the alleged offences under the circumstances though remote, however, requires further enquiry and the prosecution story cannot be considered as free from doubt. In view of hereinabove I am of the view that this is case of ineffective firing which requires further enquiry. Reference in this regard can be made to the case of Muhammad v. The State (1998 SCM R 455).
6. Accordingly, the applicant was admitted to bail subject to furnishing solvent surety in the sum of Rs,100,000 (One hundred thousands), with P.R. Bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court, vide short order dated 17-1-2011, and these are the reasons for such short order.