Muhammad Suleman vs The State
This bail application arose from a criminal case registered under Section 9(c) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, involving the recovery of 1630 grams of hashish and 940 grams of 'ice' (Methamphetamine) from the applicant. The core legal question was whether the applicant was entitled to post-arrest bail given the nature of the recovered substances and the circumstances of the arrest. The Sindh High Court held that the applicant failed to make out a case for bail. The Court determined that 'ice' constitutes a psychotropic substance falling under the definition of narcotics provided in the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, and that the recovered quantity was significant. Furthermore, the Court noted the absence of evidence regarding police enmity or false implication, the presence of a positive chemical analysis report, and the likelihood of a prompt trial conclusion. Consequently, the bail application was dismissed, with a directive to the trial court to expedite the proceedings. The judgment reinforces the classification of 'ice' as a controlled narcotic substance under the relevant statutory framework.
- Does 'ice' (Methamphetamine) fall under the definition of narcotics provided in the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997?
- Is the recovery of 'ice' in a crystal form considered a significant quantity of narcotics?
- Can bail be granted when the recovered narcotics are supported by a positive chemical analysis report and there is no evidence of police enmity?
- Section 9(c), Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997
- Section 2(u)(ii), Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997
ORDER
FAHIM AHMED SIDDIQUI, J.----The applicant Muhammad Suleman son of Raham Dil Khan is seeking his release on bail during trial in a case registered against him at PS Pinyari vide Crime No.04/2020 under Section 9 (c) CNS Act, 1997.
2. The learned counsel for the applicant has pressed the instant bail application on several grounds including non- describing of recovered narcotics named as 'Ice' as narcotics substance. The learned APG while opposing the instant application has placed her point of view .
3. After grasping the arguments from either side, I have scanned the entire material available on the record. From whatever articulated and placed before me, I have observed as under:-
(a) The allegations against the applicant is that he was arrested on a tipoff during patrolling, with a black colour shopper from which 1630 grams of hashish (chars) and 940 gram 'ice' were recovered.
(b) The recovered narcotics is in considerable quantity and apparently no reason is available for falsely involving the applicant in this case by the police with such quantity of hashish (chars) and the other contraband material referred as 'ice'.
(c) The recovery was effected on spy information and non-associating of private witnesses is properly explained by the complainant in the body of FIR.
(d) No specific allegation of animosity is levelled against the raiding police party , nor anything convincing is available on the record, which reflect enmity or of police for false involvement of the applicant in this case.
(e) The calendar of witnesses is short and all the witnesses are police officials , as such, there is likelihood of conclusion of trial without unnecessary delay .
(f) The recovered narcotics referred as 'ice' is actually purified and processed from a substance chemically known as Methamphetamine Hydrochloride', or shortly referred as Methamphetamine', which is a highly psychotropic substance, as such, the same is a narcotics.
(g) The recovered substance is called 'ice' because it is in crystal form and resemble to 'chip of ice. Another common name of the substance is 'glass'.
(h) Ice is a potent, smokable form of methamphetamine belongs to Opiates or opioids group of narcotics, as such, the same covers under the definition of narcotics as given under Section 2(u)(ii) of CNS Act, 1997.
(i) 'Ice', being an odorless narcotics substance, becomes popular amongst the youngsters and the same has made its way to our educational institution through the professional dealers and drug peddlers.
(J) Methamphetamine or 'ice' is used in a very tiny quantity , which causes huge psychotropic effect, as such, recovery of 940 grams of such drug is a huge quantity of narcotics.
(k) Both the recovered substances were sent to the chemical analyzer , and a positive chemical examination report has been received.
4. In view of the above observation, I am confident that no case of bail has been made out in favour of the applicants, as such, he does not deserve for relief claimed by him.
5. The ultimate outcome of the above discussion is that since the applicant is failed to satisfy regarding his plea of bail, as such, the instant bail application is dismissed. However , the trial Court is directed to pace-up the trial and dispose of the same as soon as possible.
6. The above are the reasons for my short order dated 06.05.2020, whereby the bail application of the applicant has already been declined.
Cited by 4 cases
- Ghulam Hussain vs The State 2025 SHC 166
- Ghulam Hussain Versus State 2026 PCrLJ 196
- Fida Muhammad and another vs The State through Pakistan Customs 2024 YLR 2483
- Fida Muhammad and another vs The State and 2 others 2024 YLR 1826