Muhammad Fayyaz vs The State and others
This matter concerns a petition for pre-arrest bail filed by the petitioner, who was nominated in an FIR registered under sections 324/148/149 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The core legal question was whether the petitioner was entitled to the extraordinary relief of pre-arrest bail, given the allegations of causing injury with a firearm and the pending investigation. The court examined the medical evidence, which corroborated the prosecution's narrative regarding the injuries sustained by the victim, and noted that the petitioner's plea of alibi had not been substantiated. The court held that pre-arrest bail is an extraordinary remedy reserved for cases where the accused is innocent and the prosecution is actuated by mala fide intent or ulterior motives. Finding no evidence of malice on the part of the complainant or the police, and noting that the petitioner's custody was required for investigation and recovery, the court dismissed the petition. The key principle laid down is that an applicant for pre-arrest bail must demonstrate that the case against them is lodged with mala fide intent and that they are not guilty of the alleged offence.
- Is pre-arrest bail an extraordinary relief that requires proof of mala fide intention by the complainant or police?
- Does the existence of corroborating medical evidence regarding injuries preclude the grant of pre-arrest bail?
- Must an accused demonstrate reasonable grounds to believe they are not guilty to qualify for pre-arrest bail under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Section 324, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 148, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 149, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337F(v), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
MUHAMMAD AMJAD RAFIQ, J. Petitioner seeks pre-arrest bail in case FIR bearing No.552 dated 27.09.2024 registered under sections 324/148/149-P.P.C. at Police Station Niddokay, District Narowal.
2. Heard. Record perused.
3. Petitioner was nominated in the FIR under the allegation that he caused injury with pistol at left ankle of Arshad Ali, injured/father of the complainant Injured underwent medico-legal examination within 02 hours of the occurrence wherein the doctor has observed two injuries i.e. injury No.01 an oval shaped lacerated wound 0.3x 0.2cm with inverted margin at medial side of left ankle and injury No.02 a lacerated oval shaped wound with everted margin lx0.8cm at anterior of left ankle and the doctor has also observed duration of injuries as two hours which is in consonance with the prosecution story. Both the injuries were declared attracting an offence under section 337F(v)
P.P.C.. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner raised plea of alibi bat his defence perspective has not been thrashed, therefore, he has filed an application before District Police Officer for first change of investigation which is still pending. So far material available on record connects the petitioner with the commission of offence, therefore, his person is required for the purpose of further investigation and lead for the recovery. False implication is not spurred out from the record. The concession of pre-arrest bail is an extra ordinary relief, which is meant only for innocent persons where the intended arrest of an accused is found to be actuated with mala fide on part of the complainant or the police. I have not seen any malice or ulterior motive on part of the complainant/police to falsely implicate the petitioner, therefore, he is not entitled to the extra- ordinary relief of pre-arrest bail as claimed for. Reliance is placed on cases reported as "Gulshan Ali Solangi and others v. The State through P.G. Sindh" (2020 SCMR 249). In this respect," reliance is further placed in case reported as "Ahtisham Ali v. The State" (2023 SCMR 975), it has been held that:- "It is well settled exposition of law that the grant of pre-arrest bail is an extraordinary relief which may be granted in extraordinary situations to protect the liberty of innocent persons in cases lodged with, mala fide intention to harass the person with ulterior motives. By all means, while applying for pre-arrest bail, the petitioner has to satisfy, the Court with regard to the basic conditions quantified under section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 ("Cr.P.C") vis-a-vis the existence of reasonable grounds to confide that he is not guilty of the offence alleged against him and the case is one of further inquiry."
4. In view of the above, the instant petition stands dismissed and ad-interim pre-arrest bail already granted to the petitioner is hereby recalled.