ORDER SHEET

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH AT KARACHI

Criminal Misc. Application No.1168 of 2024

DATE

ORDER WITH SIGNATUREs OF JUDGEs

 

1.      For orders on M.A. No.15799/2024

2.      For hearing of main case

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19.05.2025

           

            Mr. Jameel Ahmed, advocate for applicant

            Mr. Tahir Hussain Mangi, A.P.G.

            Mr. Zakir Hussain Bhirejo, advocate for respondents

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            Applicant/complainant Ali Ahmed has filed instant criminal miscellaneous application for cancellation of bail under section 497(5), Cr.PC, granted to respondents 1 and 2 by learned Additional Sessions Judge-IV, Malir Karachi vide order dated 30.10.2024.

2.         Briefly the facts of the case are that on 16.04.2024, complainant lodged FIR alleging therein that Muzafar Ali alias Majju Qambarni convinced his brother Ghulam Ali to reside at Razzaqabad in a rented house because said Muzafar Ali alias Majju had illicit relations with his wife Mehrunnissa, which later came to the knowledge of his brother. On 08.04.2024 at 10:00 hours, his brother Ali Murad informed him through phone call that his brother Ghulam Ali has committed suicide and his dead body was taken to Jinnah Hospital. Later on, he came to know that it was not a suicide but his brother was murdered by his wife Mehrunnissa and Muzafar Ali alias Majju, hence the subject FIR.    

3.         Learned counsel for applicant submits that delay has been well-explained by complainant in FIR; that alleged offence is heinous one and comes within the ambit of prohibitory clause of section 497, Cr.PC; that respondents 1 and 2 were admitted to pre-arrest bail, which is an extraordinary relief and learned trial Court has not considered material available on record before it. He further submits that after filing of application for cancellation of bail, respondents 1 and 2 have issued threats to the complainant party to withdraw from the case.

4.         On the other hand, learned A.P.G. assisted by counsel for respondents, supported the impugned order and submits that learned trial Court has rightly granted pre-arrest bail to respondents 1 and 2 on the ground that there is no direct evidence against the respondents; medical evidence could not substantiate the case against respondents/accused. Learned A.P.G. has further pointed out that complainant can approach learned trial Court for cancellation of bail on the ground that respondents/accused have issued threats to the complainant party after grant of pre-arrest bail.

5.         Heard learned counsel for applicant, learned A.P.G., assisted by learned counsel for respondents and perused the material available on record.

6.         I have gone through the impugned order and found reasonable grounds for grant of bail such as 8 days’ delay in lodging of FIR and no direct evidence against respondents, therefore, learned trial Court has rightly admitted the respondents 1 and 2 to pre-arrest bail which, no doubt, is an extraordinary relief. It is well settled law by now that merits can be touched in a case of pre-arrest bail as held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in case titled as Khair Muhammad and another Vs. The State through P.G.Punjab and another (2021 SCMR 130). I do not see any illegality committed by learned trial Court while granting bail to respondents/accused. Even otherwise, consideration for grant of bail and its cancellation are entirely different as reported by Supreme Court of Pakistan in the cases of Saeedullah & 2 Others versus The State (2023 SCMR 1397), Samiullah and another versus Laiq Zada and another (2020 SCMR 1115) and Shahid Arshad versus Muhamad Naqi Butt and 2 others (1976 SCMR 360). Respondent No.2 Mst. Mehrunnissa is present along with her three minor sons. Therefore, instant criminal miscellaneous application is dismissed. However, complainant is at liberty to approach learned trial Court for cancellation of bail if respondents 1 and 2 have misused the concession of bail by issuing threats of dire consequences to complainant party to withdraw from this case.

7.         The above observations are tentative in nature, same would not prejudice the case of either party on merits.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                J U D G E

Gulsher/PS