FARID KHAN vs The STATE

This matter originated as a petition for leave to appeal against an order of the Lahore High Court, which had previously rejected the petitioner's application for bail in a criminal case. The petitioner stood accused of an offence under Section 11 of the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979. The core legal question before the Supreme Court was whether the petitioner was entitled to the grant of bail pending trial, given the nature of the accusation and the statutory provisions governing bail. Upon hearing the arguments from both the petitioner's counsel and the State, the Supreme Court refrained from making detailed observations that might prejudice the trial. The Court held that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the petitioner was not guilty of an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life, or ten years' rigorous imprisonment or more. Consequently, the Court converted the petition into an appeal, allowed the appeal, and granted bail to the petitioner, subject to the furnishing of a bail bond in the sum of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties to the satisfaction of the Assistant Commissioner, Chiniot.