WASEEM vs THE STATE
This matter arises from an application under Section 426 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 seeking suspension of sentence and grant of bail filed by the applicant, Waseem, who was convicted under Sections 302(b) and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and sentenced to imprisonment for life along with compensation by the trial court. The core legal question is whether the applicant is entitled to suspension of sentence and release on bail under the statutory provisions of Section 426, Cr.P.C., due to the statutory delay in the disposal of his main appeal. The Lahore High Court held that since more than two years had elapsed since the conviction without the appeal being decided, and given the absence of any criminal antecedents, terrorist involvement, or exceptional circumstances disentitling the applicant, a statutory right had accrued in his favour. The court accepted the application, suspended the quantum of sentence, and directed the applicant to be released on bail subject to furnishing requisite security bonds, laying down the principle that post-conviction bail ought to be granted under the statutory amendment when the delay in appeal disposal is not attributable to the convict and no exceptional circumstances bar the relief.
- Whether a convicted person is entitled to suspension of sentence and bail under Section 426 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 when their appeal is not decided within the statutory period?
- Does the absence of criminal antecedents or terrorist involvement entitle a life-convict to the suspension of sentence during the pendency of an appeal?
- What are the considerations for granting bail after conviction under Section 426 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Section 426, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 302, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 382-B, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 302(b), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
' MAZHAR IQBAL SIDHU, J.---By instituting an application under section 426, Cr.P.C., Waseem son of Allah Yar applicant being doomed has sought suspension of sentence imposed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Jaranwala vide judgment dated 30-6-2008 in case F.I.R. No.32 of 2005 dated 25-1-2005 for the offence under sections 302/34, P.P.C. Registered at Police Station Satiana.
Faisalabad, whereby he has been punished as under:-- Conviction Sentence Under sec-tion 302(b)/ 34, P.P.C.Imprisonment for life and to pay Rs.50,000 as compensa-tion and in default whereof to further undergo six months' S.I. He was also extended the benefit of section 382-B, Cr.P.C.
2. Learned counsel for the applicant has submitted that the impugned judgment was pronounced on 30-6-2008, two years have elapsed and the applicant's appeal has not yet been decided; the applicant is neither criminal nor desperate and has also not been involved ever in terrorism and because of advent of benevolent amendment in section 426 Cr.P.C., the applicant is entitled for the suspension of sentence and the grant of bail.
3. The submissions have been opposed by learned D.P.-G. Assisted by learned counsel for the complainant.
4.Heard. Record perused.
5. The occurrence pertains to year 2005; the impugned judgment was handed down in the year 2008 and after that more than two years have passed and the applicant's appeal has not been decided so far. Record presents no antecedents of the applicant of having been involved in any case of alike nature 'or in terrorism. No remarkable circumstance has been found to be mulcted of the applicant from the relief sought for. As the statutory right has accrued in favour of the applicant and his case does not fall within the exceptional clauses of the amendment, therefore, by accepting the instant application quantum of sentence of the applicant is suspended and he is directed to be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs.200,000 (rupees two lac) with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of D.R. (Judicial) of this Court.
Applicant is directed to continue appearing before this Court till the final disposal of the appeal.
Cited by 1 case
- MEHMOOD vs The STATE 2013 YLR 906