MUHAMMAD IQBAL Versus THE STATE
This is a criminal miscellaneous application filed under Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 seeking post-arrest bail in a case registered under Sections 337-F(iii), 337-L(2), 337-D, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 at Police Station City Khanewal. The core legal question concerns whether the petitioner is entitled to post-arrest bail when injuries sustained by the accused party during the occurrence were suppressed by the complainant in the police report. The Lahore High Court held that the unexplained injuries on the person of the petitioner prima facie indicate suppression of true facts by the complainant, bringing the case within the scope of further inquiry under subsection (2) of Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898. Consequently, the court accepted the application and granted post-arrest bail to the petitioner, establishing the principle that the suppression of cross-injuries by the prosecution creates a plausible case for further inquiry warranting the grant of bail.
- Does the suppression of injuries sustained by an accused party in the police report entitle the accused to post-arrest bail under the principle of further inquiry?
- Whether unexplained injuries on the person of the petitioner attract the provisions of subsection (2) of Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Can bail be granted when the prosecution fails to explain the injuries received by the accused during the same incident?
- Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 497(2), Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 154, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 161, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 337-F (iii), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-L (2), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-D, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
Through this application under section 497 Cr.P.C. petitioner seeks bail after arrest in case F.I.R. No.23 of 2003, dated 19‑1‑2003 registered under sections 337‑F (iii)/337‑L (2) 337‑D/34 P.P.C. at Police Station City Khanewal on the statement of Abdul Waheed.
2. The brief allegation in the F. I. R. is that some dispute had arisen between the, parties for the sale of milk by the complainant to the daughter of the petitioner. After sometime Muhammad Iqbal petitioner and Nadeem while armed with daggers came into the house of the complainant and opened the door by force. Muhammad Iqbal gave a dagger blow in the abdomen of Abdul Lateef while his co‑accused Naeem also gave dagger blow on the abdomen and other parts of Habib.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner and his brother also received injuries from the hands of the complainant party which were suppressed by the complainant and P.Ws. in their statements under sections 154 and 161 Cr.P.C. It is further contended that petitioner received five injuries out of which four injuries are on the head caused with sharp‑edged weapon attracting provisions of section 337‑F (iii) P.P.C. It is also contended that prosecution case is false and petitioner has succeeded in making out a case of further inquiry.
4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the complainant opposes this application on the ground that the injuries on the person of Muhammad Rafiq were serious in nature and he was operated. It is further contended that the accused party has taken a false stand and the concurrence had taken place in the house of complainant upon. It is also contended that the cross‑version of the petitioner has been found false.
5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State also opposes this application.
6. I have heard the learned counsel for all the parties and also perused the record. According to the medico‑legal report of Muhammad Iqbal petitioner, he received five injuries, out of which four injuries were caused with sharp‑edged weapon and mostly are on the vital parts of the petitioner. Injury No.5 was kept under observation while‑Injury No.4 was declared as falling within the purview of section' 337‑F (iii) P.P.C. These injuries have not been explained by the complainant and other witnesses in their statements before the police. The suppression of injuries on the part of the complainant prima facie shows that he has suppressed the true facts. Hence, the case of the petitioner falls within the purview of further inquiry and is covered by subsection (2) of section 497 Cr.P.C. He shall be released on bail subject to his furnishing bail bond amounting to Rs.1,00,000 (Rupees one hundred thousand only) with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Illaqa Magistrate.
H.B.T./M-2227/L Bail granted.