YLRN 2018

2018 PLP 269 (YLRN)

RUKHSAR HUSSAIN alias ROOSI — Appellant Versus The STATE through Advocate-General of AJ&K and another — Respondents

Jurisdiction / Court
Supreme Court (AJ&K)
Decided Date
Criminal Appeal No.11 of 2018, decided on 6th July, 2018.
Honorable Judges
Raja Saeed Akram Khan and Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, JJ
Case Reference Summary (AEO Optimized)
Citation 2018 PLP 269 (YLRN)
Forum / Court Supreme Court (AJ&K)
Bench Members Raja Saeed Akram Khan and Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, JJ
Parties RUKHSAR HUSSAIN alias ROOSI — Appellant Versus The STATE through Advocate-General of AJ&K and another — Respondents
Primary Law Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898)
💡 Quick Legal QA & Summary / سوال و جواب خلاصہ
Q1: What are the key laws and sections cited in 2018 PLP 269 (YLRN)?

This judgment primarily cites: Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898) as referenced in Pakistani case law index.

Q2: Which judicial bench decided the case 2018 PLP 269 (YLRN)?

The case was heard and decided by the Supreme Court (AJ&K) bench comprising: Raja Saeed Akram Khan and Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, JJ.

Q3: What is the official citation format for this judgment on Pakistan Law Portal?

Cite this legal precedent as: 2018 PLP 269 (YLRN) (RUKHSAR HUSSAIN alias ROOSI — Appellant Versus The STATE through Advocate-General of AJ&K and another — Respondents). Read the full summary and cross-referenced laws free on Pakistan Law Portal.

Laws Cited

Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898)

Representation

  • Ch. Zaffar Mehmood, Advocate for Appellant.
  • Sardar Javaid Naz, Additional Advocate-General and Sardar Karam Dad Khan, Advocate for Respondents.
  • The STATE through Advocate-General of AJ&K and another---Respondents
  • 3. Ch. Zaffar Mehmood, the learned Advocate appearing for the appellant argued that there is no evidence of occurrence and neither any impartial witness has been cited in the challan nor has been examined by the prosecution. The learned Advocate argued that the appellant has availed the remedy of appeal, hence, the legality of the punishment is to be judged finally by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court. The learned Advocate further argued that even amount of Diyat is liable to be recovered in instalments spreading over a period of 3 years and there is no justification in refusing the appellant to be released on bail. The learned Advocate further argued that the punishment of 10 years' simple imprisonment along with sentence of Diyat is no hurdle in acceptance of the application for suspension of the sentence, hence, the impugned judgment is not tenable. The learned Advocate further argued that the appellant remained on bail throughout the trial and has not misused the concession of bail, therefore, he cannot be deprived of from his liberty. He added that in case his appeal is accepted then there would be no compensation for curtailment of his liberty.
  • 4. Conversely, Sardar Karam Dad Khan, the learned Advocate appearing for the other side contended that the appellant has been sentenced maximum punishment in addition to the payment of Diyat, hence, his case is not for the purpose of bail under the provisions contained in section 426, Cr.P.C. The learned Advocate argued that the appeal is not maintainable because legal heirs of the deceased have not been impleaded as party within limitation. The learned Advocate further argued that the appellant will run away if is released on bail and the punishment will remain unimplemented. He lastly submitted that in view of the provisions contained in section 426, Cr.P.C., the appellant is not entitled to be released on bail.
  • 5. We have heard the learned Advocates resenting the parties and have gone through the record of the case. The appellant herein, has been convicted by the trial Court in the above mentioned offences and has been awarded the sentence of Diyat. He is also sentenced to 10 years' simple imprisonment. In case of ultimate conviction, Diyat is to be paid in instalments spreading over a period of three years. Similarly, the question, as to whether, the maximum sentence of imprisonment has rightly been awarded by the trial Court in the circumstances of this case, is also to be seen by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court in the appeal. Although, the appellant, herein, has been sentenced to 10 years' simple imprisonment in addition to the punishment of Diyat and he has lost the initial presumption of innocence after being convicted but considering the overall circumstances of the case and the provisions contained in section 331, A.P.C., which provide the mode of payment of Diyat in equal instalments within a period of 3 years, we are of the view that confinement of the convict-appellant, herein, in jail during pendency of his appeal before the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court, will serve no purpose. Moreover, the convict-appellant, herein, has remained on bail during continuation of the proceedings before the trial Court and he has not misused the concession of bail. This Court has already taken the view that where the accused has been sentenced to the payment of Diyat as well as 10 years' simple imprisonment, he can be released on bail while considering the facts of the case. In this regard we may refer to the cases reported as Abdul Ghafoor v. Muhammad Ajaib Khan and another (2007 PCr.LJ 1387) Ali Dost v. The State (2006 PCr.LJ 80) and Muhammad Siddique and 2 others v. The State (2003 YLR 1302). Though in these cases, maximum sentence was served by the convicts, therein, but in the present case the legality and correctness of the punishment is to be judged by the learned Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court, hence, the curtailment of the liberty of the convict-appellant, herein, till his appeal is decided, is not in the interest of justice.

Headnotes / Summary

(On appeal from the judgment of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court dated 13.4.2018 in Miscellaneous Application No.113-A of 2018).

S. 426

Penal Code (XLV of 1860), Ss. 320, 337-G & 337-F(1)

Qatl-i-khata by rash or negligent driving, causing hurt by rash or negligent driving, causing damiyah

Suspension of sentence, pending appeal

Scope

Accused was convicted under Ss.320, 337-G & 337-F(1) of Penal Code, and sentenced to diyat besides ten years simple imprisonment

Appeal was filed along with application for suspension of the sentence, which was dismissed by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court

Validity

Accused had been sentenced to ten years simple imprisonment in addition to the punishment of diyat and had lost the initial presumption of innocence after being convicted

Circumstances of the case and the provisions contained in S.331 Penal Code provided the mode of payment of diyat in equal instalments within a period of three years

Confinement of the convict in jail during pendency of the appeal before the Shariat Appellate Bench of High Court would serve no purpose

Record showed that accused had remained on bail during continuation of the proceedings before the Trial Court and he had not misused the concession of bail

Legality and correctness of the punishment was to be judged by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court, hence, the curtailment of the liberty of the accused, till his appeal was decided, was not in the interest of justice

Appeal was allowed by the Supreme Court setting aside the impugned order and accused was ordered to be released on bail. [Para. 5 of the judgment] Abdul Ghafoor v. Muhammad Ajaib Khan and another 2007 PCr.LJ 1387; Ali Dost v. The State 2006 PCr.LJ 80 and Muhammad Siddique and 2 others v. The State 2003 YLR 1302 rel.

Judgment & Decree

GHULAM MUSTAFA MUGHAL, J.

The captioned appeal has been filed against the judgment dated 13.04.2018, passed by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court in Misc. Application No.113-A of 2018.

2. The facts necessary for disposal of the captioned appeal are that Rukhsar Hussain, appellant herein, stood convicted by the Additional District Court of Criminal Jurisdiction Rawalakot in the offences under sections 320, 337-G, 337-F(i), A.P.C., and sentenced to Diyat amounting to Rs.18,90,299.86/- besides 10 years' simple imprisonment vide judgment dated 15.03.2018. The legality and correctness of the judgment dated 15.03.2018, passed by the Additional District Court of Criminal Jurisdiction Rawalakot was challenged by the appellant, herein, before the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court through an appeal. Along with the appeal an application for suspension of the sentence was also filed. The learned Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court has rejected the application through the impugned judgment dated 13.04.2018.

3. Ch. Zaffar Mehmood, the learned Advocate appearing for the appellant argued that there is no evidence of occurrence and neither any impartial witness has been cited in the challan nor has been examined by the prosecution. The learned Advocate argued that the appellant has availed the remedy of appeal, hence, the legality of the punishment is to be judged finally by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court. The learned Advocate further argued that even amount of Diyat is liable to be recovered in instalments spreading over a period of 3 years and there is no justification in refusing the appellant to be released on bail. The learned Advocate further argued that the punishment of 10 years' simple imprisonment along with sentence of Diyat is no hurdle in acceptance of the application for suspension of the sentence, hence, the impugned judgment is not tenable. The learned Advocate further argued that the appellant remained on bail throughout the trial and has not misused the concession of bail, therefore, he cannot be deprived of from his liberty. He added that in case his appeal is accepted then there would be no compensation for curtailment of his liberty.

4. Conversely, Sardar Karam Dad Khan, the learned Advocate appearing for the other side contended that the appellant has been sentenced maximum punishment in addition to the payment of Diyat, hence, his case is not for the purpose of bail under the provisions contained in section 426, Cr.P.C. The learned Advocate argued that the appeal is not maintainable because legal heirs of the deceased have not been impleaded as party within limitation. The learned Advocate further argued that the appellant will run away if is released on bail and the punishment will remain unimplemented. He lastly submitted that in view of the provisions contained in section 426, Cr.P.C., the appellant is not entitled to be released on bail.

5. We have heard the learned Advocates resenting the parties and have gone through the record of the case. The appellant herein, has been convicted by the trial Court in the above mentioned offences and has been awarded the sentence of Diyat. He is also sentenced to 10 years' simple imprisonment. In case of ultimate conviction, Diyat is to be paid in instalments spreading over a period of three years. Similarly, the question, as to whether, the maximum sentence of imprisonment has rightly been awarded by the trial Court in the circumstances of this case, is also to be seen by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court in the appeal. Although, the appellant, herein, has been sentenced to 10 years' simple imprisonment in addition to the punishment of Diyat and he has lost the initial presumption of innocence after being convicted but considering the overall circumstances of the case and the provisions contained in section 331, A.P.C., which provide the mode of payment of Diyat in equal instalments within a period of 3 years, we are of the view that confinement of the convict-appellant, herein, in jail during pendency of his appeal before the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court, will serve no purpose. Moreover, the convict-appellant, herein, has remained on bail during continuation of the proceedings before the trial Court and he has not misused the concession of bail. This Court has already taken the view that where the accused has been sentenced to the payment of Diyat as well as 10 years' simple imprisonment, he can be released on bail while considering the facts of the case. In this regard we may refer to the cases reported as Abdul Ghafoor v. Muhammad Ajaib Khan and another (2007 PCr.LJ 1387) Ali Dost v. The State (2006 PCr.LJ 80) and Muhammad Siddique and 2 others v. The State (2003 YLR 1302). Though in these cases, maximum sentence was served by the convicts, therein, but in the present case the legality and correctness of the punishment is to be judged by the learned Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court, hence, the curtailment of the liberty of the convict-appellant, herein, till his appeal is decided, is not in the interest of justice. In view of above, this appeal is accepted and the impugned judgment dated 13.04.2018, passed by the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court is hereby set aside while accepting the application filed under section 426, Cr.P.C. The sentence awarded to the convict-appellant, herein, by the Additional District Court of Criminal Jurisdiction Rawalakot vide judgment dated 15.03.2018 is suspended till decision of his appeal before the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court. The appellant shall be released forthwith on bail subject to furnishing of bail bond amounting to Rs.19,00,000/- consisting of two sureties who shall be the State subjects having sound financial position and the personal bond of the appellant, herein, in the like amount to the satisfaction of any Magistrate 1st Class Rawalakot. JK/29/SC(AJ&K) Appeal accepted.