MAZULLAH KHAN vs THE STATE and anothers
This judgment arises from a bail petition filed by Mazullah Khan in a case registered under Section 337-D read with Section 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner hurled a stone at the complainant following an altercation over previous court testimony, while a co-accused struck him with an axe. The core legal questions before the High Court were the nature of the offence committed by the petitioner, the primary statutory penalty applicable, and the criteria for granting bail in hurt cases where the primary penalty is Daman. The High Court observed that the specific seat and locale of the injury attributed to the petitioner was unspecified, placing the hurt under Section 337-F(v) of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The Court held that the primary and mandatory punishment under Section 337-F(v) is Daman, whereas imprisonment as Ta'zir is discretionary, governed by Section 337-N(2). Consequently, pursuant to the scheme of Section 337-Y(2), bail was granted subject to bail bonds and the deposit of tentative Daman.
- Whether the primary punishment prescribed under Section 337-F(v) of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 is mandatory Daman or discretionary imprisonment as Ta'zir?
- Under what circumstances can Ta'zir imprisonment be awarded in hurt cases under Section 337-N(2) of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860?
- Can an accused charged with an offence under Section 337-F(v) of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 be granted bail upon furnishing security or depositing the tentative amount of Daman under the principles of Section 337-Y(2)?
- Section 337-D, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-F, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-F(v), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-Y(2), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-N(2), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
1. ' Mazullah Khan accused petitioner, after failing to obtain bail from the learned Courts below had come up to this Court for the same relief in case F.I.R. No,248 dated 21-5-1996, registered at Police Station Saddar, Kohat under section 337-D/34, P.P.C.
2. 2 According to the F.I.R., Abdul Qasim injured complainant, on the day of occurrence at about 15-30 hours, was present near his house along with his grandson Fazal Hakim, when Mazullah Khan and Wajib Khan came and asked him as to why he deposed against them in the Court of Civil Judge.
3. They exchanged hot words, in consequence whereof Mazullah Khan hurled a stone on the complainant and Wajib Khan gave him an axe blow, with which he got injured.
4. 3 I have heard learned counsel for the parties and gone through the record of the case with their assistance.
5. 4 The petitioner had been charged for causing stone injury to the complainant but the seat and locale of the said injury was not specified, hence it cannot be ascertained at this stage as to which of the three injuries, was caused by the petitioner as all of them have been caused by the blunt means. This kind of hurt would fall under clause (v) of section 337-F, P.P.C. Which entail the punishment of Daman and may also be imposed imprisonment which may extend to five years as Ta'zir, as provided under section 337-F(V), P.P.C.. The reading of the above section would manifest that the main punishment for the offence is the payment of Daman as it is mandatory in nature while the imposition of imprisonment under Ta'zir is discretionary. After trial, under subsection (2) of section 337-Y, in case of non-payment of Daman the convict can be kept in jail until its recovery from him, or he can be released on bail if he furnishes security equal to the amount of Daman to the satisfaction of the Court. In punishment under Ta'zir is concerned, ii can be enforced under subsection (2) of section 337-N which reads as under:-- (a)
6. (b)
7. (c)
8. (d)
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter in all cases of hurt, the Court may, having regard to the kind of hurt caused by him in addition to payment of Arsh, award Ta'zir to an offender who is previous convict, habitual or hardened desperate or dangerous criminal."
9. In view of the above legal position, the petitioner can be released on bail provided he furnishes security equivalent to the Daman amount, which tentatively is fixed at Rs,20,000. Consequently the petitioner is allowed bail provided he furnishes bail bonds allowed bail provided he furnishes bail bonds in the sum of Rs,50,000 with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of Illaqa Magistrate who shall see that the sureties are reliable, local and men of means. The accused petitioner shall also deposit Rs,20,000 in cash as 'Daman' to be paid on determination to the complainant on the conclusion of the trial and should also deposit passport which shall remain in the custody of the Court till decision of the case.