ORDER SHEET

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH AT KARACHI

Criminal Bail Application No. 1194 of 2023

[Kamal Raza versus The State]

DATE

                    ORDER WITH SIGNATURE(s) OF THE JUDGE(s)

 

 

For hearing of bail application

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18.08.2023

 

Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed, advocate for applicant/accused

Peer Muhammad Shah DAG

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Naimatullah Phulpoto, J.- Kamal Raza applicant seeks pre-arrest bail in Crime No. 05/2023 for offences under Sections 23(l)(a)(i), 23(l)(a)(vii), 23(l)(a)(x), 23(l)(b), 23(l)(c) & 23(l)(i) punishable under Section 27(l)(a), 27(l)(b) & 27(4) of Drugs Act, 1976 registered at PS FIA, ACC, Karachi.

2.         It is contended that co-accused Bilal Ahmed and Malik Naveed Ahmed in the same crime have already been granted post arrest bail by this court and case of the applicant/accused is identical to that of co-accused. It is further submitted that no useful purpose will be served in case applicant/accused is remanded to jail on technical ground. Lastly, it is submitted that investigation is complete. In support of his contentions, reliance is placed upon case reported as Muhammad Qasim and others vs. The State and others (2021 SCMR 1344).

3.         DAG submits that role of the applicant/accused is identical to that of co-accused to whom concession of post arrest bail has been granted and does not oppose confirmation of interim pre-arrest bail to the applicant/accused.

4.         We have perused the order of co-accused Bilal Ahmed to whom concession of post-arrest bail has been extended by this Court vide order dated 24.05.2023. Relevant portion is reproduced as under:

“It has already been held by this Court in the case of Muhammad Siddique v. The State (2017 P.Cr.L.J Note 181) that such crimes of spurious drugs are regarded as the crimes against the society and as such the fact that sentence may be up to 10 years does not automatically lead to the grant of bail. In this case we find that the drugs which were seized from the owner of the Medical Store which were allegedly supplied by the applicant to the owner of medical store and after chemical analysis these four separate drugs were found to be spurious and as such prima facie it is a heinous offence. However, we note that each case must be judged on its own particular facts and circumstances and in the aforesaid case cited, a large quantity of drugs were recovered, however, it has been found in this case only a meager quantity of drug was spurious which were not particularly harmful. The applicant has already been in jail for four months and is no longer needed for investigation. We had also granted bail in similar case in respect of Criminal Bail Application No. 747/2023 vide order dated 09.05.2023. Thus, keeping in view the rule of consistency and taking into account the above circumstances of this particular case and the meager recovery of drug, we are of the view that applicant has made out a case for bail especially as the sentencing range is 3 to 10 years. As such, applicant Bilal Ahmed s/o Shakil Ahmed is admitted to post arrest bail subject to furnishing solvent surety in the sum of Rs.300,000/- (Rupees three lacs only) and P.R Bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of Nazir of this Court.”

5.         Since case of the applicant/accused is identical to that of co-accused Bilal Ahmed and Malik Naveed Ahmed no useful purpose will be served by remanding the applicant/accused to jail on technical ground. Even otherwise, serious malafide is alleged against the FIA officials.

6.         For the above stated reasons, while relying upon above cited judgment, on rule of consistency, a case for grant of pre-arrest bail to the applicant/accused is made out. Consequently, interim pre-arrest bail already granted to the applicant/accused is hereby confirmed on the same terms and conditions.

7.         The instant bail application is accordingly disposed of.

 

      J U D G E

 

J U D G E