SURRAYA BEGUM vs THE STATE and another
This matter concerns an application filed under Section 526 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 seeking the transfer of a criminal case pending before an Additional Sessions Judge. The petitioner, a sister of the deceased, alleged that the presiding judge pressured her to compromise with the accused. Upon examination, the Court noted that the petitioner was neither the complainant nor a prosecution witness in the case. The core legal question addressed was whether a person who is not a party to the proceedings has the standing (locus standi) to seek the transfer of a criminal case. The Court held that the expression 'party interested' under Section 526 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 is limited to the State, the accused, the complainant, or the witnesses. It ruled that this category cannot be expanded to include relatives of the parties, as doing so would invite frivolous applications and cause unnecessary trial delays. Consequently, the Court dismissed the application in limine, finding that the petitioner lacked the necessary locus standi to maintain the request.
- Who qualifies as a 'party interested' entitled to file an application for the transfer of a case under Section 526 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Can a relative of a deceased person who is neither a complainant nor a witness seek the transfer of a criminal case?
- Does the High Court have the authority to dismiss a transfer application in limine when the applicant lacks locus standi?
- Section 526, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 526(3), Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
- Section 302, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
ORDER
' This is an application under section 526, Cr.P.C. For the transfer of a case under section 302, P.P.C.
From the Court of Mr. Ikram-ul-Haq, Additional Sessions Judge, Faisalabad.
2. Surayya Begum petitioner contends that her brother was murdered by Liaqat Ali etc. Respondents. The deceased's brother-in-law reported the matter to the police but later joined hands with the accused and is now trying for their acquittal. The respondents have moved a bail application in the Court of Mr. Ikram-ul-Haq, Additional Sessions Judge, Faisalabad and when she appeared and apprised the Court of the true position, it compelled her to effect a compromise with the accused-respondents.
3. In reply to a query by the Court, Surayya Begum petitioner stated that she was neither the complainant nor the prosecution witness in the case sought to be transferred. She was asked to produce a copy of the bail application moved by the accused but she expressed her inability. She was also asked to give the date when she appeared before the Court and was forced to effect a compromise with the accused but she gave an evasive reply.
4. Under section 526, Cr.P.C. Only the .Party interested can make an application to the High Court.
The expression "party interested" is not defined by the Legislature but generally speaking the State as the prosecutor, the accused persons, the complainant or the witness are the parties interested in and concerned with the case and anyone of them may make an application under section 526,.
Cr.P.C. The above category of 'party interested' cannot be enlarged so as to include even relatives of the parties, because if this is allowed any person. Claiming relationship with the parties may move a transfer application for ulterior motive resulting in unnecessary delay in the conclusion of the trial. As in the present case the transfer application has neither been moved, by the State or by the complainant or any of the prosecution witness nor is any good ground shown for transfer of the case on my own initiative under section 526(3), Cr.P.C. I therefore, decline to entertain the application of the petitioner. The petitioner has no locus standi to seek transfer of the case.
Consequently, the application is dismissed in limine.
Cited by 3 cases
- Noor Ejaz Chaudhry & others vs Maheen Zafar & others 2017 P Cr. L J 1407, 2017 IHC 22
- NOOR EJAZ CHAUDHRY and others vs MAHEEN ZAFAR and others 2017 P Cr. L J 1407
- Syeda RUKIYA SHAH and another vs ABDUL SHAKOOB and others 2018 P Cr. L J 1211