Javed Jaidi vs The State, etc
The petitioner sought post-arrest bail in a murder case registered under Sections 302, 148, 149, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, primarily on the ground of statutory delay in the trial. The petitioner's previous bail application had been dismissed on merits. Upon reviewing the trial court's report, the High Court found that the petitioner himself was responsible for the delay, having sought approximately 23 adjournments and refused to be charge-sheeted in the absence of his counsel. The Court held that while the right to a speedy trial is fundamental, an accused cannot claim the benefit of delay when that delay is a direct result of their own non-cooperation and obstructionist tactics. Consequently, the Court determined that the petitioner was not entitled to bail, as the prosecution was not responsible for the trial's stagnation. The bail application was accordingly rejected, affirming that delay caused by the defense does not entitle an accused to relief on the grounds of statutory delay.
- Is an accused entitled to bail on the ground of statutory delay if the delay is caused by the accused's own non-cooperation?
- Can time taken by the defense to obstruct trial proceedings be counted towards statutory delay for the purpose of bail?
- Does the refusal of an accused to be charge-sheeted in the absence of counsel constitute a valid ground for claiming delay in trial?
- Section 302, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 148, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 149, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
' AALIA NEELUM, J. --- The petitioner seeks post-arrest bail in case F.I.R. No, 234/2012, dated 11.03.2012 under Sections 302/148/149/34, P.P.C., Police Station Shadbaag, Lahore.
2. Brief facts of the case as per F.I.R. Are that the complainant, his father, uncle and PWs went to the house of the accused party for taking machines or its price, whereupon the petitioner and his co- accused flared up and they caused fire-arm injuries upon Muhammad Siddiquefather and Abdul Ghafoor-uncle, who subsequently succumbed to the injuries. Hence, this case.
3. Arguments heard and record perused.
4. It is observed that the first bail application (Criminal Miscellaneous No, 8972-B of 2013) of the petitioner was dismissed on merits vide order dated 08.10.2013 of this Court, thereafter, the petitioner filed instant petition on the ground of statutory delay in trial. Before, I revert to deal with the obtaining factual matrix and the eloquent claim made by the petitioner, I feel it appropriate to call for report from the learned Trial Court. From the report, it reveals that the accused-petitioner is responsible for delay in the trial. The petitioner refused to get charge sheeted in absence of his counsel and in this regard, he took approximately 23 adjournments. The accused-petitioner was causing the learned Trial Court to refrain from doing its legal duty. It is admitted fact that delay is a known defence tactic, although delay in trial goes against the interest of prosecution. Therefore, in every case, when the right of speedy trial is alleged to have been infringed, the question arises that who is responsible for the delay? In this regard all the time taken in perusing the proceedings cannot be treated as delayed tactics nor such time is counted towards delay. From the perusal of the report of the learned Trial Court, it reflects that the accused side has created hindrance and the delay in the trial is result of the non-cooperation of the accused side and in such like situation the petitioner shall not be entitled to get the benefit on the ground of delay in trial.
5. Considering the above factual position the role played by the petitioner and the period of delay thus caused absence of any role of the prosecution, thus I am of the considered view that the petitioner is not entitled to be enlarged on bail. Resultantly, the application for bail stands rejected.
Bail after arrest refused.