ORDER SHEET

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH AT KARACHI

Criminal Bail Application No.473 of 2026

 [ Rohit Kumar & Naresh Kumar versus The State ]

DATE

ORDER WITH SIGNATUREs OF JUDGEs

 

For hearing of bail application

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26.02.2026

            Mr. Muhammad Saleh Mallah, Advocate for the Applicants.

Mr. Tahir Hussain Mangi, A.P.G. along with P.I. Changzaib, P.S. Clifton, Karachi and ASI/I.O. Abdul Wali P.S. Clifton, Karachi.

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SHAMSUDDIN ABBASI, J.- Applicants/accused Rohit Kumar son of Sham Lal and Naresh Kumar son of Ramesh Kumar seek post-arrest bail in FIR No.44/2026, registered at P.S. Clifton for offence under Sections 3 & 4 PEHO, 1979, after rejection of their bail plea by learned Additional Sessions Judge-X Karachi South, vide order dated 10.02.2026.

2.         Brief facts of prosecution case are that on 02.02.2026 at 0200 hours, complainant ASI Faheem Khan of P.S. Clifton Karachi arrested the Applicants along with huge quantity of wines, bears and other articles, hence he registered the instant FIR against them for offence under Section 3 and 4 of the PEHO, 1979.

3.         Learned counsel for applicants mainly contended that applicants are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case for mala fide intentions and ulterior motives; that alleged offence does not come within the ambit of prohibitory clause of Section 497, Cr.PC and the case of the applicants/accused requires further inquiry in terms of Section 497(2), Cr.PC; that there is violation of Section 103 Cr.PC as the Complainant failed to associate any independent person to witness the arrest and alleged recoveries; he finally prayed for grant of bail.

4.         On the other hand, learned A.P.G. opposed for grant of bail on the ground that applicants are arrested with huge quantity of wines and bears hence they are not entitled for bail.

5.         Heard learned counsel for applicants as well as learned A.P.G. and perused the material available on record.

6.         The alleged offence does not come within the ambit of prohibitory clause of Section 497, Cr.PC, and the rule such case is grant of bail and its refusal is an exception, as held by apex Court in the case of Muhammad Tanveer versus State (PLD 2017 SC 733). There is violation of Section 103 Cr.PC as Complainant / I.O. failed to associate any independent witness of arrest and alleged recoveries. The case has been challaned and the Applicants are no more required for further investigation. No purpose would be served out to keep them in jail without any cogent reason. Therefore, the applicants are admitted to post arrest bail, subject to furnishing solvent surety in the sum of Rs.100,000/- each and P.R. bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

7.         Needless to mention here that the observations made hereinabove are tentative in nature, the same would not prejudice the case of either party at trial.

8.         Instant criminal bail application is disposed of in the above terms.

 

                                                                                                                        J U D G E

Shahbaz