THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH, CIRCUIT COURT, LARKANA

Criminal Bail Application No.S-130 of 2022

Applicant:            Noor Mustafa Bhutto through Mr. Mazhar Ali Bhutto, Advocate.

Complainant:      Sikandar Ali through Mr. Noor Ahmed Lashari, Advocate.

                            The State

Through Mr. Shafi Muhammad Mahar, Deputy Prosecutor General, Sindh.

Date of hearing:  22.12.2022

Date of Order:     22.12.2022

O R D E R

AMJAD ALI SAHITO, J.- Through instant Criminal Bail Application, applicant/accused Noor Mustafa son of Muhammad Mithal Bhutto seeks pre-arrest bail in Crime No. 19/2022, offence under Section 489-F P.P.C. of Police Station Market. Prior to this, he filed such application, but the same was turned down by the Court of IV-Additional Sessions Judge, Larkana vide Order dated 09.03.2021; hence he filed instant Criminal Bail Application.

2.                Learned counsel for the applicant/accused submits that now the case of the prosecution is at the verge of conclusion before the learned Trial as all the witnesses have been examined and case is fixed for final arguments and in this regard he has relied upon the case reported as 2011 SCMR 1332 (Rehmatullah v/s. The State and another).

3.                On the other hand learned D.P.G raised no objection in view of the above position.

4.                Heard and perused.

5.      Admittedly, case is at the verge of conclusion before the learned trial Court as the case is fixed for final arguments. In above cited case, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan has held that in such circumstances the Court should not grant or cancel the bail when the trial is in progress and proper course in such situation would direct the trial Court to conclude the trial of the case within specified period.  For the sake of convenience relevant paras-3 and 4 of the said order passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan in the case of Rehmatullah v/s. The State and another (supra) are reproduced hereunder:

“3.     Heard. The petitioner was granted bail on 21.11.2008, which was cancelled by the learned High Court on 19.03.2019, when according to the order itself the trial was at the verge of conclusion. Learned Additional Prosecutor General stated that now only one or two witnesses are yet to be recorded. The courts should not grant or cancel bail when the trial is in progress and proper course for the courts in such a situation would be to direct the learned trial Court to conclude the trial of the case within a specified period. Reference may be made to Haji Mian Abdul Rafique v/. Riaz-ud-Din and another (2008 SCMR 1206). We find that the impugned order was passed in violation of the law, therefore, we cannot subscribe to it. In view whereof, we are persuaded to allow this petition and direct the learned trial court tio conclude the trial of the case expeditiously.

4.      For the foregoing reasons, present petition is converted into appeal, allowed and bail granting order dated 06.04.2009, passed by this Court, is confirmed. However, learned trial Court is directed to conclude the trial of the case within a period of two months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.”

6.      Looking to the case law cited above as well as subject case which is pending before the learned trial Court where evidence of witnesses have already been recorded and case is fixed for final arguments, therefore, learned Trial Court is directed to conclude the trial of the case preferably within a period of 15 days after receipt of this order. However, in view of the matter, interim pre-arrest bail earlier granted to the applicant/accused vide Order dated 15.03.2022 is hereby confirmed on the same terms and conditions.

7.                Needless to mention here that the observations made hereinabove are tentative in nature and would not influence the learned Trial Court while deciding the case of either party at trial.

                                J U D G E

Manzoor