Pakistan Case Law
2002 PCRLJ 791

ZULFIQAR Versus THE STATE Muhammad Ayaz Soomro , Ali Azher Tunio, Asstt. A. G.

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Citation2002 PCRLJ 791
CourtSindh High Court
Case No.Criminal Bail Application No.491 of 2001
Date2001-10-18
ResultBail granted
AI Summary — generated from this judgment; read the full text below and verify before relying on it.

This matter concerns a bail application filed by the applicant, Zulfiqar, who was charged under sections 302, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 in connection with a murder case. The core legal question was whether the applicant was entitled to bail given the apparent inconsistencies between the ocular evidence provided by the complainant and the medical evidence presented in the post-mortem report. The court observed that while the complainant alleged the deceased sustained injuries to the chest, abdomen, and back from various firearms, the medical report indicated injuries to the neck, forearm, and shoulder, and noted the use of a gun rather than the specific weapons alleged. Relying on established precedents, the court held that such clear discrepancies between ocular and medical evidence necessitate further inquiry into the applicant's guilt. Consequently, the court granted bail to the applicant, ruling that his case fell within the purview of section 497(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, as the prosecution's version required further investigation.

Questions settled in this judgment
  • Does a significant inconsistency between ocular testimony and medical evidence regarding the location and nature of injuries entitle an accused to bail?
  • When does a criminal case fall within the purview of section 497(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 for the purpose of bail?
  • Are observations made by a court during bail proceedings binding on the trial court?
Laws & provisions referred
  • Section 302, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
  • Section 148, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
  • Section 149, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
  • Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
post-arrest bailocular evidencemedical evidenceinconsistencyfurther inquirymurdertentative assessment

ORDER

1. We are going to dispose of bail application of applicant Zulfiqar son of Khadim Hussain Marfani Chandio involving him in a murder case Crime No.77 of 2000 of Police Station Warah under sections 302, 148 and 149, P.P.C.

2. The story narrated by complainant Punhal son of Amir Bakhsh Gadehi reveals that on the day of incident at about 4‑45 p.m. applicant Zulfiqar alongwith co‑accused Dodo, Zulfiqar alias Bhutto and unidentified persons having open faces came at the place of occurrence in a car. The applicant is alleged to be armed with rifle while co‑accused Dodo with Kalashnikov, Zulfiqar alias Bhutto with pistol and one amongst the unidentified person was armed with pistol. It is alleged that applicant Zulfiqar and co‑accused Dodo and Zulfiqar alias Bhutto collectively fired at the deceased which hit him and consequently he died. Thereafter all the accused persons went away. The motive behind the alleged offence is that prior to this about a year back one Hamid Ali Chandio was murdered by Bakhtoo Chandio and others. Bakhtoo Chandio is said to be the husband of complainant's daughter, as such, accused Dodo and others used to say that they will kill Ghulam Nabi in revenge.

3. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

4. Perusal of the record shows that applicant Zulfiqar was armed with rifle while the recovery of empties reveals that 15 empties of 7.62 bore rifle and five empties of 7 m.m. were secured from the place of occurrence. The learned counsel has drawn our attention to medical report of the doctor which is in conflict with the ocular version. As per post‑mortem report the deceased has suffered in all six injuries with gun while the ocular version is that he received injuries by rifle, Kalashnikov and a pistol. In this regard we would like to reproduce the opinion or doctor as under:‑‑

5. "From the external as well as internal examination of the deceased, I am of the opinion that the death has occurred due to heavy bleeding, caused by the abovementioned injuries which were caused by the discharge of fire‑arm weapon like gun and the injuries were ante‑mortem in nature and were, sufficient to case death."

6. In the case of Mohsin v. the State reported in 1977 PCr.LJ 159 it was laid down that where there is clear inconsistency between the ocular and medical evidence the case of the accused falls within the purview of clause (2) of section 497, Cr.P.C.

7. In the case of Ghulam Rasool and another v. The State reported in 1986 PCr.LJ 120, same dicta has been followed which was held in the case of Mohsin (supra).

8. As per version of the complainant the deceased received fire‑arm injuries at his chest, abdomen and back while the medical version is that the deceased received injuries on left side of neck, left forearm and left shoulder hence the injuries stated by complainant do not find place in the post‑mortem report.

9. Due to the clear inconsistency between the ocular and medical evidence, for the purpose of bail, the case of applicant falls within purview of clause (2) of section 497, Cr.P.C. In view of the above case?law and the circumstances of the case, the ‑case of applicant calls for further enquiry and he has made out his case for grant of bail. Accordingly he is admitted to bail.

10. By a short order, dated 18‑10‑2001 we have allowed bail to the applicant and above are reasoning for the same.

11. Needless to mention that the observations made in the bail applications are tentative in nature and the same shall not influence the trial and learned trial Court should decide the matter according to law,

12. H.B.T./Z‑26/K ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Bail granted.

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