ABDUL JABBAR vs THE STATE
This criminal petition was filed by the applicant, Abdul Jabbar, seeking the suspension of his sentence and release on bail pending the disposal of his appeal against a conviction under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The applicant was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation under Section 544-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898. The core legal question was whether the applicant was entitled to the suspension of his sentence and bail based on arguments regarding the absence of a weapon, lack of motive, discrepancies in medical evidence, and his initial declaration of innocence by the police. The Court held that because the applicant was specifically attributed an injury to the deceased, his active role in the occurrence was established. The Court determined that the contentions raised required a deeper appreciation of evidence, which is neither permissible nor desirable at the bail stage, as it could prejudice the final outcome of the appeal. Consequently, the Court dismissed the petition, affirming that suspension of sentence is not appropriate when the applicant's role is prima facie connected to the crime.
- Is the suspension of a sentence permissible when the applicant has been attributed a specific injury to the deceased?
- Does the deeper appreciation of evidence fall within the scope of a bail application pending appeal?
- Can a sentence be suspended based on the argument that the accused was declared innocent by the police during the investigation?
- Section 302(b), Pakistan Penal Code 1860
- Section 544-A, Code of Criminal Procedure 1898
ORDER
' Abdul Jabbar, the applicant through the instant petition has sought for suspension of his sentence and admitting him to bail pending the disposal of the aforementioned appeal against the judgment dated 28-5-2002, recorded by Mr. Javaid Iqbal Warraich, learned Additional Sessions Judge, Vehari, whereby he has convicted him under section 302(b), P.P.C. And sentenced to imprisonment for life as Tazir and to pay Rs,50 000 to the legal heirs of the deceased by way of compensation as required under section 544-A, Cr.P.C. And in default to suffer further three months' S.I. In case F.I.R. No,25 dated 29-1-2001 registered with Police Station Danewal, Tehsil and District Vehari.
2. It has been contended on his behalf that there is no mention in the F.I.R. And the prosecution evidence of the weapon of offence carried by him at the time of occurrence; that even no weapon was recovered from him; that no motive has been ascribed to him; that no witness from the locality has been cited or produced by the prosecution to support it's case against them; that medical evidence is also not in line with the ocular account; that it was a blind murder; and that he was declared innocent by the police and so deserves release on bail by suspending his sentence.
3. On the other hand, the learned counsel for the State has opposed the petition on the ground that he has been attributed injury to the deceased and so his active role in occurrence was there; and that there is sufficient evidence on record to connect him with the crime.
4. I have carefully considered the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties with the help of available record.
5. He has been ascribed injury to the deceased. The contentions raised on his behalf in fact require deeper appreciation of evidence, which is neither permissible nor desirable at this stage lest it may prejudice the case of either parties at the final hearing or decision of the appeal. I, therefore, have not been persuaded to suspend his sentence. The petition, therefore, is dismissed.