MAZHAR HUSSAIN vs THE STATE
The petitioner Mazhar Hussain sought post-arrest bail in case FIR No. 143 registered under Section 11 of the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 at Police Station City, B-Division, Rahimyar Khan. The core legal question was whether the allegations of abduction with the intent to commit Zina warranted further inquiry under the criminal procedure, justifying the grant of bail. The Lahore High Court held that the case called for further probe and inquiry, noting the absence of any allegation of actual Zina and the improbable circumstance of the petitioner's wife accompanying him in such an enterprise. The court admitted the petitioner to post-arrest bail, laying down the principle that where circumstances render the allegations doubtful and require further inquiry, the accused is entitled to the concession of bail.
- Whether post-arrest bail can be granted when the allegations require further probe and inquiry?
- Is an accused entitled to bail under Section 497(2), Cr.P.C. when circumstances surrounding the commission of the offence create doubt?
- Section 11, Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance 1979
- Section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
' Mazhar Hussain petitioner has sought his post-arrest bail in case FIR No,143 registered at Police Station City, B-Division, Rahimyar Khan on 24-5-2002 for an Offence under section 11 of the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979.
2. According to the F.I.R. The complainant Mat. Zaib of Muhammad Arif reported the incident to Ata Muhammad 5.-I. Who was present at Adda Gulmerg on 24-5-2001 at 12-30 a.m. (night). According to the F.1.R Mst. Zohran wife of Mazhar Hussain had friendly terms with the complainant. On 21-5- 2002 at about 8-00 a.m. Mst. Zohran went to the house of complainant and informed her that her relative was sick and, therefore, she was going to some sooth-sayer. The complainant accompanied Mst. Zohran and when they reached Jaswa Pull Mazhar Hussain husband of Mst.
Zohran joined them and the three boarded a bus. The bus stopped at Adda Khanpur. All the three persons mentioned above alighted from the bus and boarded a Rickshaw. Meanwhile, the complainant suspected that there was something fishy and she started to walk towards city. She was followed by Mazhar Hussain and Mst. Zohran. The complainant came across the police officer and reported the matter to the police. According to complainant Mazhar Hussain and Mst. Zohran had abducted her with an intention to commit Zina.
3. 1 have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have also gone through the record of the case. Admittedly, there is no allegation that the petitioner committed Zina with the complainant. It is most unlikely that Mst. Zohran wife of the petitioner would accompany her husband when the latter had a design to commit Zina with the complainant. It appears that the complainant remained in the company of Mst. Zohran and accused for three days. In the light of the above mentioned circumstances, the allegation against the petitioner needs further probe and inquiry within the ambit of subsection (2) of section 97, Cr.P.C. Therefore, I admit the petitioner to bail subject to his furnishing bail bond in the sum of Rs,50,000 (Rupees fifty thousand only) with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court.