Maulana MUHAMMAD MOHSIN FAIZ vs Sheikh SIKANDAR HUSSAIN and 2
This criminal revision and miscellaneous application arose from a private complaint filed under Sections 295-B, 295-C, 298-A, 423, 469, 464, 471, 196, 195, and 192/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The core legal question was whether the trial court could register the complaint and issue bailable warrants against the accused without complying with prior judicial orders directing a preliminary enquiry and obtaining opinions from religious institutions, given the sensitive nature of the blasphemy allegations. The High Court of Sindh held that the trial court erred in registering the complaint and issuing warrants without conducting a preliminary enquiry. The Court emphasized that in cases involving highly sensitive allegations, a preliminary enquiry under the proviso to Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 is essential. Consequently, the High Court set aside the trial court's order, discharged the bail bonds, and directed that a proper preliminary enquiry be conducted, utilizing assistance from specialized police branches if necessary.
- Is a trial court required to conduct a preliminary enquiry under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 before registering a private complaint involving highly sensitive allegations such as blasphemy?
- Can a trial court issue bailable warrants against accused persons in a private complaint without complying with prior judicial orders directing a preliminary enquiry and expert opinions?
- What is the appropriate procedure for investigating sensitive religious allegations raised in a private complaint under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Section 295-B, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 295-C, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 298-A, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 423, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 469, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 464, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 471, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 196, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 195, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 192, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 200, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 202, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
1. MRS. KAUSAR SULTANA HUSSAIN, J.-----I through instant order intend to dispose off Criminal Revision Application No. 07 of 2013 filed by Maulana Muhammad Mohsin Faiz against Sheikh Sikandar Hussain and others and in Criminal Misc. Application No. 209 of 2013 filed by Ghulam Muhammad Khan v. Shaikh Sikandar Hussain and others , both in Private Complaint No. 479 of 2009. It was stated that the Private Complaint No. 479/2009 was filed by the respondent Sheikh Sikandar Hussain on 05.09.2009 in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate-VII, Karachi South against the applicant(s) and others for offences under Sections 295-B, 295-C, 298-A, 423, 469, 464, 471, 196, 195 and 192/34, P.P.C. who sent it to learned Sessions Judge Karachi South being triable by Sessions Court. On 10.12.2009 statement of the complainant was recorded under Secti on 200, Cr.P.C and R&Ps was ordered to be sent to the Court of learned Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate IVth Karachi (South) for recording the preliminary enquiry by the Court of VIth Additional Sessions Judge Karachi (South). Later on another order was passed on 07.07.201 1 by the learned IIIrd Additional Sessions Judge Karachi (South), whereby the complainant was directed to submit five volumes of said book and revised edition along with the legible copies of said Palma to be forwarded to them religious institution s for their opinions. This order was also not complied with However , on 11.02.2012 complaint submitted by the complainant side was registered and bailab le warrants were issued against the applicants and other accused persons.
2. During the course of hearing on 14.01.2013, operation of the impugned order was suspended by this Court for 21.01.2013 of respondent named above and the Prosecutor General Sindh.
3. 1 have heard the learned counsel for both the sides and gone through the relevant record, it is evident that both the orders passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judges on 10.12.2009 and 07.07.201 1 were not complied with yet the complaint was registered. The learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge Karachi (South) while passing order dated 11.02.2012 first gone through the contents of the application, as it, evident from the order itself though it was required, in view of the orders passed by his predecessor and keeping in mind the sensitivity of the allegation contained in the complaint, for that preliminary enquiry should have been conducte d taking benefit of proviso (2) of section 202, Cr.P.C, it would have been move appropriate in the circumstanc es of the present case of the investigation was to be conducted by the Magistrate, who would also get assistance, if necessities from such specialize branch of police, which is mandated to conduct such sensitive investigation.
4. In view of the above discussion, orders passed on 11.02.2012 by the learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge Karachi (South) is set aside with the direction that Preliminary Enquiry be held in terms of directions contained herein above. Bail bonds furnished by the accused persons as a consequences of the registration of complaint supra are hereby discharged. Cr. Revision Application No. 7 of 2013 and Cr. Misc. Application No. 209 of 2013 are hereby disposed of f accordingly .