MUHAMMAD ASHIQ Versus State Danyal Ejaz
This criminal petition was filed by the petitioner, Muhammad Ashiq, seeking post-arrest bail in connection with F.I.R. No. 230, registered at Police Station Cantt., Gujranwala, for an offence under Section 9(c) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. The prosecution alleged that 1015 grams of charas were recovered from the petitioner's possession. The petitioner contended that he was innocent, falsely implicated by the police, and that the recovery was planted, noting further that there were no independent witnesses and that he was a previous non-convict. The State opposed the bail, citing the quantity of the contraband. Upon reviewing the record, the Court observed that the recovered quantity was only slightly above the threshold for Section 9(b) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. Considering that the petitioner was a first-time offender, had been incarcerated since his arrest, and was no longer required for further investigation, the Court exercised its discretion to grant bail. The petition was allowed, and the petitioner was admitted to bail subject to furnishing bail bonds.
- Is an accused entitled to post-arrest bail when the quantity of recovered narcotics is only marginally above the threshold of a lesser offence?
- Does the absence of independent witnesses in a narcotics recovery case constitute a ground for granting bail?
- Can a previous non-convict be granted bail in a narcotics case where further investigation is no longer required?
- Section 9(c), Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997
- Section 9(b), Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997
ORDER
Through the instant petition, Muhammad Ashiq petitioner has sought for his post-arrest bail in case F.I.R No.230, dated 21-4-2010, offence under section 9(c) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 registered at Police Station Cantt., Gujranwala.
2. Briefly the prosecution case as per the F.I.R. is that on 21-4-2010, the petitioner was apprehended by the police and from his possession 1015 grams charas was recovered.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent, who has been roped in this case by the police with mala fide intention in order to show karvai to the high-ups and the recovery is planted one. Learned counsel next argued that there is no independent witness of the recovery. It is further contended that the petitioner is previous non-convict and behind the bars since the date of his arrest and no more required by the police .for further investigation.
4. Learned D.P.-G., on the other hand, has opposed the petition with full force. It is argued that a huge quantity of contraband charas was recovered from the petitioner, therefore, he in no way is entitled to the concession of bail.
5. Arguments heard. Record available on file perused.
6. Bare perusal of the record available on file reveals that case against the petitioner is slightly on the higher side of upper limit of section 9(b) of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997. The petitioner is stated to be previous non-convict and behind the bars since the date of his arrest. More-over he is no more required by the police for the purpose of further investigation.
7. In such circumstances of the case, we have been persuaded to allow this petition as a consequence whereof, the petitioner is admitted to bail after arrest subject to his furnishing bail bonds in the sum of Rs.1,00,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned trial Court.
H.B.T./M-21/L Bail granted.