M. Faizan vs The State
This matter concerns an application for pre-arrest bail filed by the applicant, M. Faizan, who was accused of issuing a dishonoured cheque and subsequently threatening the complainant. The core legal question was whether the applicant was entitled to pre-arrest bail given the allegations of fraud, the delay in lodging the FIR, and the existence of ongoing civil litigation between the parties. The Sindh High Court held that the applicant was entitled to bail, confirming the interim pre-arrest bail previously granted. The court reasoned that the sixteen-day delay in filing the FIR remained unexplained, and the existence of parallel civil litigation suggested potential ulterior motives by the complainant. Furthermore, the court noted that the alleged offence did not fall within the prohibitory clause of the relevant criminal procedure provisions. The key principle laid down is that where an FIR is delayed without plausible explanation and there is evidence of prior civil litigation between the parties, a case for further inquiry and malafide is established, justifying the grant of pre-arrest bail, provided the trial is directed to conclude expeditiously.
- Does a sixteen-day delay in lodging an FIR, without plausible explanation, constitute grounds for granting pre-arrest bail?
- Does the existence of ongoing civil litigation between parties in a criminal case suggest ulterior motive relevant to bail applications?
- Is an offence that falls outside the prohibitory clause of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 generally eligible for bail on the point of further inquiry?
- Section 498, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
Irshad Ali Shah J. It is alleged that the applicant issued cheque dishonestly , it was bounced when was presented before the concerned Bank for encashment by complainant Kashif Ahmed then threatened and insulted him when complainant approached him for return of his money , for that the present case was registered
2. The applicant on having been refused pre-arrest bail by learned IVth Additional Sessions Judge, Hyderabad has sought for the same from this Court by way of instant application under section 498 Cr .P.C.
3. It is contended by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant being innocent has been involved in this case falsely by the complainant in order to satisfy his grudge with him; the FIR has been lodged with delay of about
(16) days; offence alleged against the applicant is not falling within prohibitory clause of section 497(2) Cr.P.C and the very case is proceeding. By contending so, he sought for pre-arrest bail for the applicant on point of further enquiry and malafide. In support of his contention he has relied upon case of Mian Allah Ditta vs The State and others (2013 SCMR 51), Mian Muhammad Akram vs The State and others (2014 SCMR 1369 ) and Muhammad Sarfraz vs The State and others ( 2014 SCMR 1032 ).
4. Learned Assistant Prosecutor General for the State and learned counsel for the complainant have opposed to grant of pre-arrest bail to the applicant by contending that he has deprived the complainant of his money by practicing fraud. In support of their contentions they have has relied upon case of Abdul Khaliq vs The State (2019 SCMR 1 129).
5. I have considered the above arguments and perused the record.
6. The FIR of the incident has been lodged with delay of about (16) days; such delay having not been explained plausibly could not be overlooked. The litigation between the parties on civil side is going on. The offence alleged against the applicant is not falling within prohibitory clause of section 497(2) Cr.P.C. The applicant has not misused the concession of bail and the case again st him is proceeding before learned trial Court. In these circumstances, a case for grant of bail to the applicant on point of further inquiry and malafide is made out.
7. In case of Rehmatullah Vs. The State and others (2011 SCMR 1332 ). It has been held by Hon'ble Apex Court that: "3. Heard. The petitioner was granted bail on 21-11-2008, which was cancelled by the learned High Court on 19-3- 2009, when according to the order itself the trial was at the verge of conclusion. Learned Additional Prosecutor - General stated that now one or two witnesses are yet to be recorded. The courts should not grant or cancel bail when the trial is in progress and the proper course for the courts in such a situation would be to direct learned trial court to conclude the trial of the case within specified period."
8. The case law which is relied upon by the learned A.P.G for the State and learned counsel for the complainant is on distinguishable facts and circumstances. In that case the ulterior motive was found lacking. In the instant case the FIR is delayed and civil litigation between the parties is going on which constitute an act of ulterior motive on the part of complainant.
9. In view of above, the interim pre-arrest bail already granted to the applicant is confirmed on same terms and conditions with direction to learned Trial Court to disposed of f very case against the applicant within one month.
10. The instant bail application is disposed of accordingly .