SCMR 1999

1999 PLP 2277 (SCMR)

SURRIYA BIBI and others — Petitioners Versus GHULAM SARWAR and others — Respondents

Jurisdiction / Court
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Decided Date
Civil Petitions Nos.2021-L and 2022-L of 1998, decided on 28th January, 1999
Honorable Judges
Raja Afrasiab Khan and Sh. Riaz Ahmed, JJ
Case Reference Summary (AEO Optimized)
Citation 1999 PLP 2277 (SCMR)
Forum / Court Supreme Court of Pakistan
Bench Members Raja Afrasiab Khan and Sh. Riaz Ahmed, JJ
Parties SURRIYA BIBI and others — Petitioners Versus GHULAM SARWAR and others — Respondents
Primary Law Constitution of Pakistan (1973)
💡 Quick Legal QA & Summary / سوال و جواب خلاصہ
Q1: What are the key laws and sections cited in 1999 PLP 2277 (SCMR)?

This judgment primarily cites: Constitution of Pakistan (1973) as referenced in Pakistani case law index.

Q2: Which judicial bench decided the case 1999 PLP 2277 (SCMR)?

The case was heard and decided by the Supreme Court of Pakistan bench comprising: Raja Afrasiab Khan and Sh. Riaz Ahmed, JJ.

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

Cite this legal precedent as: 1999 PLP 2277 (SCMR) (SURRIYA BIBI and others — Petitioners Versus GHULAM SARWAR and others — Respondents). Read the full summary and cross-referenced laws free on Pakistan Law Portal.

Laws Cited

Constitution of Pakistan (1973)

Representation

  • Nafees A. Malik with Ch. Sardar Ali, Advocate Supreme Court and Muhammad Aslam Ch., Advocate-on-Record for Petitioners.
  • A.H. Masood, Advocate Supreme Court for Respondents. .
  • Date of hearing: 28th January, 1999.
  • 2. The relevant facts are that the respondent No.4 namely, Rai Muhammad Ejaz and Ch. Muhammad Shafi, respectively were elected as Members of the Town Committee Rabwah, Tehsil Chiniot, District Jhang in the last local council election held on 20-4-1998. After the election having been notified, the election to the Special Interest Seats of the Town Committee was held on 15-10-1998. The respondents in their Constitutional petitions made a grievance of the fact that they were not allowed to cast vote on the basis of a forged and fabricated order of the High Court produced by respondent No. 11. It was further averred in the petitions that the respondent No.4 apprised the respondents Nos.2 and 3 about the forged nature of the order but no heed was paid by them and the respondent No.4 in both the petitions were illegally restrained to cast their vote. It was also contended that the election of petitioners and respondent No. l l was illegal being a part of the fraud. The learned Single Judge of the High Court, after appraising the facts of the case and having heard the Additional Advocate-General, Punjab came to the conclusion that admitted position on the record was that a Writ Petition No.21054 of 1998 filed by Allah Ditta was dismissed by the High Court on 13-10-1998 but some one by manipulation forged and fabricated the order of the High Court under which the respondent No.4 herein were restrained from casting their votes in the election to the Special Interest Seats. On the basis of this naked fraud the learned Judge of the Lahore High Court came to the conclusion that such forgery amounted to interference in the election process and through fraud, the election of petitioners and respondent No.l l was manoeuverexl, and, thus being fraudulent stood vitiated and was liable to be set aside. It may be stated here that a criminal case was also registered, which was under investigation. The learned Judge also issued direction with regard to the investigation of the aforesaid case.

Headnotes / Summary

(On appeal from the judgment/order of the Lahore High Court, dated 1-12=1998 passed in Writ Petition No.21882 of 1998 and 21883 of 1998).

Arts. 185 (3) & 199

Election dispute

Constitutional jurisdiction of High Court

Exercise of

Grievance of respondents was that they were not allowed to cast vote on basis of forged and fabricated order of High Court produced by returned candidate

High Court on basis of evidence on record found grievance of respondent correct and concluded that said forgery amounted to interference in election process and election of returned candidate was manoeuvred through fraud and being fraudulent election stood vitiated and was liable to be set aside

Contention of the petitioners was that High Court had no jurisdiction to set aside election of returned candidate because only remedy to achieve said object was by way of filing an election petition

Validity

Contention of petitioners had no force in view of naked fraud and forgery committed by fabricating the orders of High Court

Fraud would vitiate, howsoever solemn the proceedings might be

No premium could be put on basis of fraud

Petition for leave to appeal was dismissed.

Judgment & Decree

Arts. 185 (3) & 199

Election dispute

Constitutional jurisdiction of High Court

Exercise of

Grievance of respondents was that they were not allowed to cast vote on basis of forged and fabricated order of High Court produced by returned candidate

High Court on basis of evidence on record found grievance of respondent correct and concluded that said forgery amounted to interference in election process and election of returned candidate was manoeuvred through fraud and being fraudulent election stood vitiated and was liable to be set aside

Contention of the petitioners was that High Court had no jurisdiction to set aside election of returned candidate because only remedy to achieve said object was by way of filing an election petition

Validity

Contention of petitioners had no force in view of naked fraud and forgery committed by fabricating the orders of High Court

Fraud would vitiate, howsoever solemn the proceedings might be

No premium could be put on basis of fraud

Petition for leave to appeal was dismissed. Nafees A. Malik with Ch. Sardar Ali, Advocate Supreme Court and Muhammad Aslam Ch., Advocate-on-Record for Petitioners. A.H. Masood, Advocate Supreme Court for Respondents. . Date of hearing: 28th January, 1999. Petitioners seek leave to appeal against the judgment/order dated 1-12-1998 whereby a learned Judge of the Lahore High Court accepted the Constitution Petitions filed by the respondent No.4 herein.

2. The relevant facts are that the respondent No.4 namely, Rai Muhammad Ejaz and Ch. Muhammad Shafi, respectively were elected as Members of the Town Committee Rabwah, Tehsil Chiniot, District Jhang in the last local council election held on 20-4-1998. After the election having been notified, the election to the Special Interest Seats of the Town Committee was held on 15-10-1998. The respondents in their Constitutional petitions made a grievance of the fact that they were not allowed to cast vote on the basis of a forged and fabricated order of the High Court produced by respondent No.

11. It was further averred in the petitions that the respondent No.4 apprised the respondents Nos.2 and 3 about the forged nature of the order but no heed was paid by them and the respondent No.4 in both the petitions were illegally restrained to cast their vote. It was also contended that the election of petitioners and respondent No. l l was illegal being a part of the fraud. The learned Single Judge of the High Court, after appraising the facts of the case and having heard the Additional Advocate-General, Punjab came to the conclusion that admitted position on the record was that a Writ Petition No.21054 of 1998 filed by Allah Ditta was dismissed by the High Court on 13-10-1998 but some one by manipulation forged and fabricated the order of the High Court under which the respondent No.4 herein were restrained from casting their votes in the election to the Special Interest Seats. On the basis of this naked fraud the learned Judge of the Lahore High Court came to the conclusion that such forgery amounted to interference in the election process and through fraud, the election of petitioners and respondent No.l l was manoeuverexl, and, thus being fraudulent stood vitiated and was liable to be set aside. It may be stated here that a criminal case was also registered, which was under investigation. The learned Judge also issued direction with regard to the investigation of the aforesaid case.

3. It is contended that the High Court had no jurisdiction to set aside the election of the petitioners and respondent No.11 because the only remedy to achieve the said object was by way of filing an election petition.

4. We are afraid, this contention has no force in view of the naked fraud and forgery committed by fabricating the orders of the High Court. Fraud would vitiate howsoever solemn the proceedings may be. No premium can be given on the basis of fraud. Accordingly, we find no merit in these petitions which are I dismissed. H.B.T./S-124/S ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Petitions dismissed