MUHAMMAD TUFAIL Alias BUTT vs THE STATE
The petitioner sought post-arrest bail in a case registered under section 324/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, relating to a firearm assault. The core legal question was whether the conflict between the ocular account in the F.I.R., which alleged two gunshots, and the medical report, which indicated a single entry and exit wound, brought the petitioner's case within the scope of further inquiry under subsection (2) of section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898. The Lahore High Court held that the discrepancy regarding the number of shots and the nature of the injuries required consideration as to whether the petitioner intended to cause death, thereby making his case one of further inquiry covered by section 497(2), Cr.P.C. The court established that conflicts between the F.I.R. and medical evidence regarding the number of firearm injuries, coupled with the period of incarceration, can form a valid basis for granting post-arrest bail.
- Does a conflict between the number of shots alleged in the F.I.R. and the injuries noted in the medical report make a case one of further inquiry under Section 497(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898?
- Whether post-arrest bail can be granted when the applicability of Section 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 requires further consideration at trial?
- Section 324, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 34, Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-A(i), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 337-F(i), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 497(2), Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
Muhammad Tufail alias Butt, the petitioner, through the instant petition seeks after arrest bail in case F. I. R. No. 110 dated 17-6-2002 under section 324/34, P.P.C. Registered with Police Station Gallaywal, District Lodhran.
2. Briefly the prosecution case as per F.I.R. Is that on 17-6-2002 at about 4/5 p.m. Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Tufail (petitioner) both armed with .30 bore pistol came in front of complainant and his companion Abdul Khaliq while they were going to Jalla More from Gallahwal on motorcycle. Muhammad Ashraf raised Lalkara that Abdul Khaliq be taught lesson for getting registered the cases against them. In the meanwhile, Muhammad Tufail alias Butt fired with pistol at Muhammad Ashraf complainant hitting on his right flank. He fired another shot at him on his backside of the chest. Abdul Khaliq when tried to take care of him, Muhammad Ashraf fired at him with pistol hitting on his left thigh.
3. The motive behind the occurrence is that forest guard has got registered cases against them. On grudge over the same, they have committed the above act.
4. It has been contended on his behalf that he has falsely been roped in; that complainant and his companion were injured by some unknown persons and the occurrence was un-witnessed and the same is evident from the fact in the F.I.R.; that two shots have been ascribed to the petitioner- to the complainant while only one injury has been found on his (complainant) body; that this conflict in the narration of the F.I.R. And the Medical Report of the complainant has made his case open to further inquiry; that the injury found on the person of the complainant is superficial in nature and so the question of application of section 324, P.P.C. In the instant case against him needs consideration; that maximum offence under sections 337-A(i) or 337-F(i) can be attracted in the case and the same is bailable; that he is behind the bars for the last about three months and so far challan has not been submitted in the Court against him which is violation of statutory requirement; and that his co-accused Muhammad Ashraf has been allowed bail by the learned lower Court.
5. Conversely, the learned counsel for the State has opposed the petition on the ground that he is named in the F. I. R.; that he fired two shots at the complainant hitting on his right flank and back of the chest; that repetition of fire by him shows that he in all case had intended to kill the complainant; that his (complainant) Medical Report has proved the presence of injuries on his person; that his case is distinguishable from co-accused Muhammad Ashraf inasmuch as that he did not repeat the injury and the injury ascribed to him was on the non-vital part of the body of injured Abdul Khaliq P.W.; and that in the above circumstances, offence under section 324, P.P.C. Is attracted against him and it has rightly been applied in the case.
6. I have carefully considered the submissions made by both the side with the help of the available record.
7. According to the F.I.R., he (petitioner) has fired two shots with pistol at the complainant hitting him on his right flank and back of the chest. His Medico-legal Report shows the presence of the following injuries on his person:-- Injury No.1.---A fire-arm wound of entry measuring about 0.63 c.m. x 0.63 c.m. Going deep in the Rt.
Iliac fosa.
Injury No.2.---A fire-arm wound of exit measuring about 1.0 c.m. x 1.0 c.m. On back and lower part of Lt. Abdomen above the Lt. Buttock
8. The above position shows that injury was wound of entry and No. 2 of exit.
9. So, apparently there seems some conflict in the narration of the F.I.R. Anal Medico-legal Report of the complainant as in the former two fire shots have been ascribes to him to the complainant while according to the latter one injury was there on his person.
10. I could avoid to further comment upon this aspect of the matter lest it may prejudice case of either of the parties at trial. Anyway, the nature of the injuries of the complainant, the measurement of which has been given above and the above indicated conflict in the ocular account as contained in the F.I.R. And the medical report shows that the question that if he had intended to kill him needs consideration. So, his case is covered under subsection (2) of section 497, Cr.P.C.
11. He is stated to be behind the bars for the last about three months and a previous non-convict.
12. In these circumstances, the case for his enlargement on bail has been made out. I, therefore, accept this petition and admit him to bail subject to his furnishing bail bond in the sum of Rs.50,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Illaqa/Duty Magistrate.
Cited by 1 case
- MUHAMMAD MAJID ABBASI alias JABAL Versus State 2018 YLRN 281