MUHAMMAD TUFAIL vs STATE and another
This matter concerns a petition for confirmation of ad interim pre-arrest bail in a case involving allegations of criminal breach of trust. The core legal question was whether the petitioner was entitled to pre-arrest bail given the investigation findings and the alleged mala fide intent of the complainant. The Court found that investigation records, specifically a police daily diary entry, indicated the petitioner had not committed the alleged offense but had instead facilitated the return of the disputed registration book for consideration, contradicting the complainant's allegations. Holding that the petitioner's arrest was sought without cogent evidence and appeared motivated by ulterior motives, the Court confirmed the pre-arrest bail. The key principle laid down is that the primary object of pre-arrest bail is to protect innocent individuals from unnecessary harassment and arrest in cases instituted with mala fide intent, particularly when investigation is complete and no recovery is required from the accused.
- Is pre-arrest bail appropriate when investigation reveals the absence of cogent evidence against the accused?
- Does the existence of mala fide intent on the part of the complainant justify the grant of pre-arrest bail?
- Should pre-arrest bail be confirmed when the investigation is complete and no recovery is required from the accused?
ORDER
' In continuation of order dated 02-10-2014, whereby the petitioner was granted ad interim pre- arrest bail in the instant case, I have further heard learned counsel for the parties and gone through the record.
2. As per FIR, allegation of criminal breach of trust has been leveled against the petitioner by the complainant alleging therein that the petitioner had obtained car, along with its registration book, from him but subsequently the car was returned to the complainant without registration book, which the petitioner retained with him ,with mala fide. During investigation, it has come on record that the petitioner has not committed any criminal breach of trust, as he had purchased the registration book of the said car from one driver namely Bhola for consideration of Rs,25,000/- and handed-over the registration book to the complainant after receiving the said amount from him.
This fact is clearly shows in daily Diary No, 8 dated 25-08-2014 in the police file. In such circumstances, possibility of involvement of the petitioner in the instant case due to mala fide and ulterior motive on the part of complainant cannot be ruled out. Thus, the efforts of police to arrest the petitioner without any cogent evidence is tainted with mala fide and ulterior motive. The investigation is complete and nothing is to be recovered from the petitioner. The object of pre- arrest bail is to save innocent persons from being unnecessarily harassed due to their arrest in the case instituted against them with ulterior motives. Thus, while placing reliance on 1996 P.Cr.L.J. 1422 (James Sardar and another vs. The State), instant petition is allowed and ad interim pre-arrest bail already granted to the petitioner vide order dated 02-10-2014 is confirmed, subject to furnishing fresh bail bonds in the sum of Rupees One Lac (Rs, 1,00,000/-), with one surety, in the like amount to the-satisfaction of trial Court.