RAQIBAZ KHAN vs STATE and another
This matter concerns a post-arrest bail application filed by the petitioner, Raqibaz Khan, who is charged under Sections 302, 324, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 in connection with a multiple-murder incident. The petitioner, having previously had his bail cancelled by the High Court, sought relief on medical grounds, citing a compound fracture of the right femur sustained during the same occurrence. The core legal question was whether the petitioner’s medical condition, specifically his status as a bed-ridden patient requiring specialized physiotherapy unavailable within the jail premises, warranted the grant of bail. The Court held that the petitioner’s medical condition, supported by a certificate from the Senior Registrar of the Lady Reading Hospital, necessitated specialized treatment that could not be provided in custody. Consequently, the Court admitted the petitioner to bail on medical grounds alone, emphasizing that when a prisoner requires medical treatment not available within the jail, and the condition renders them incapacitated, such circumstances justify the concession of bail to ensure proper medical care.
- Can an accused be granted bail on medical grounds if the required medical treatment is unavailable within the jail premises?
- Does a medical certificate indicating a bed-ridden status and the need for specialized physiotherapy constitute sufficient grounds for the grant of bail?
- Is a previous cancellation of bail a bar to a subsequent bail application filed on distinct medical grounds?
- Section 302, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 324, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 148, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 149, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
The accused/petitioner having failed to get the concession of bail has applied to this Court for the same relief. He is charged under Sections 302/324/148/149 PPC vide FIR No, 2 dated 25/1/2009 of Police Station Kakki, District Bannu.
2. The prosecution story as narrated by the complainant Abdul Ghaffar Khan in his initial report lodged on 25/1/2009 at 1200 hours is to the effect that on the eventual day his son Hikmat Yar, Shahidullah son of Sard Ali Khan, Ashrafulah son of Muhammad Rauf and Muhammad Rauf son of Amir Jan, his co-villagers, had gone to Sher Mast Kakki for the purchase of house-hold articles from the shop of Ikramullah, while he (the complainant) and Arab Khan son of Pasham Khan were standing in front of the shop on the lacha-road' at some distance. Nosooner his son Hikmatyar came out of the shop at about 1100 hours, Arif Khan, Zahoor Khan, Raqibaz, Sar Anjam, Abdul Qayum and Wahid Khan, residents of Sher Mast Kakki, armed with Kalashnikovs, emerged on the scene of occurrence and simultaneously fired firstly at his son Hikmat yar and, thereafter, at Shahidullah, Ashrfaullah and Muhammad Rauf with which all the four were injured and died on the spot while a passerby named Akhtar Khan sustained injuries. Motive for the offence was stated to be road-dispute between the parties.
3. It is to be noted here that this Court vide order dated 2/11/2009 had cancelled the bail granted to the accused/petitioner on the ground that his case was not arguable for the purposes of bail on merits keeping in, view the commission of four murders in the occurrence. It was held that the cross-case bearing No, 3 is not the cross-version in stricto senso. However, at the concluding para, this Court has observed that the accused/petitioner may move a fresh bail petition on medical ground.
4. The instant application is on medical ground.
5. The record reveals that the accused/petitioner is complainant in case FIR No, 3 wherein he has received injuries due to which he is bed-ridden and his injuries cannot be-treated in Jail premises and requires specialized treatment outside jail. He has filed copy of medical report which consists of a certificate issued by the Senior Registrar, Male Orthopedic Ward, Government Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar.
6. I have perused this certificate which discloses that the injury sustained by the petitioner is medico legal case compound fracture of right femur bone and remained under treatment till 3/4/2009. He has undergone surgery. According to the certificate, the accused/petitioner is unable to walk and he was allowed complete bed rest for one year and he will do physiotherapy on the bed: It has also been opined that the accused/petitioner is a bed ridden case.
7. I have scanned the entire record and have come across nothing to the contrary. There is no certificate from Jail doctor produced by the complainant party to show that the facility of physiotherapy is available in jail, meaning therein that the said facility is not available in jail. As per the medical certificate, the petitioner is a bed ridden case and has been advised one year bed rest during which he would receive physiotherapy treatment.
8. In this case, the remaining accused are in jail and he is the only person who has received injuries which have made him incapable for one year as per the medical report and in my opinion, he deserves to receive the treatment outside the jail as the requisite facility is not available inside the jail.
9. Consequently, I accept this application and admit the petitioner to bail on medical ground alone provided he furnishes bail bond in the sum of rupees one lac with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of Judicial Magistrate concerned who shall ensure that the sureties are reliable, local and men of means.
10.Above are the reasons for my short order of even date.