SCMR 1982

1982 PLP 1137 (SCMR)

MUHAMMAD AFZAL‑Petitioner Versus THE STATE‑Respondent

Jurisdiction / Court
----Art. 185 (3) and Penal Code (XLV of 1860), S. 302‑Murder‑case Leave to appeal‑Question, whether solitary statement of a P. W. bearing visible signs of improvements sufficient to form basis of convic tion and whether by placing implicit reliance it courts kept in view principles recognised and applied by Supreme Court for ensuring safe administration of criminal justice‑Such question requiring fuller examination‑Leave to appeal granted‑Evidence.
Decided Date
Criminal Petition for Special Leave to Appeal No. 232 of 1980, decided on 13th January, 1981.
Honorable Judges
Aslam Riaz Hussain and Shafi‑ur‑Rehman, JJ
Case Reference Summary (AEO Optimized)
Citation 1982 PLP 1137 (SCMR)
Forum / Court ----Art. 185 (3) and Penal Code (XLV of 1860), S. 302‑Murder‑case Leave to appeal‑Question, whether solitary statement of a P. W. bearing visible signs of improvements sufficient to form basis of convic tion and whether by placing implicit reliance it courts kept in view principles recognised and applied by Supreme Court for ensuring safe administration of criminal justice‑Such question requiring fuller examination‑Leave to appeal granted‑Evidence.
Bench Members Aslam Riaz Hussain and Shafi‑ur‑Rehman, JJ
Parties MUHAMMAD AFZAL‑Petitioner Versus THE STATE‑Respondent
Primary Law Constitution of Pakistan (1973)‑
💡 Quick Legal QA & Summary / سوال و جواب خلاصہ
Q1: What are the key laws and sections cited in 1982 PLP 1137 (SCMR)?

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

Q2: Which judicial bench decided the case 1982 PLP 1137 (SCMR)?

The case was heard and decided by the ----Art. 185 (3) and Penal Code (XLV of 1860), S. 302‑Murder‑case Leave to appeal‑Question, whether solitary statement of a P. W. bearing visible signs of improvements sufficient to form basis of convic tion and whether by placing implicit reliance it courts kept in view principles recognised and applied by Supreme Court for ensuring safe administration of criminal justice‑Such question requiring fuller examination‑Leave to appeal granted‑Evidence. bench comprising: Aslam Riaz Hussain and Shafi‑ur‑Rehman, JJ.

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

Cite this legal precedent as: 1982 PLP 1137 (SCMR) (MUHAMMAD AFZAL‑Petitioner Versus THE STATE‑Respondent). Read the full summary and cross-referenced laws free on Pakistan Law Portal.

Laws Cited

Constitution of Pakistan (1973)‑

Representation

  • Maqbool Ilahi Malik, Advocate Supreme Court with S. Inayat Hussain, Advocate‑on‑Record for Petitioner.

Headnotes / Summary

(On appeal from the judgment of Lahore High Court, dated 25‑3‑1980 in Criminal Appeal No. 480/78).

Art. 185 (3) and Penal Code (XLV of 1860), S. 302‑[Murdercase] Leave to appeal‑Question, whether solitary statement of a P. W. bearing visible signs of improvements sufficient to form basis of convic tion and whether by placing implicit reliance it courts kept in view principles recognised and applied by Supreme Court for ensuring safe administration of criminal justiceSuch question requiring fuller examinationLeave to appeal granted‑Evidence].

Judgment & Decree

SHAFI‑UR‑REHMAN, J‑The petitioner seeks leave to appeal against the judgment of the Lahore High Court dated 25‑3‑1980 whereby his conviction under section 302, P. P. C. and the sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000 was upheld.

2. The prosecution case against the petitioner was that on 22‑9‑1975 the appellant saw the deceased Manzoor 1lahi talking to the wife of the petitioner's brother who was employed in the Army. He suspected of an intrigue between them. At degarwela the same day the petitioner fired at the deceased and caused death. A report about the occurrence was lodged by Sher Muhammad uncle who happened to be also the step‑father of the deceased. The report was recorded at Police Station Talagang.

3. Trial Court believed the two eye‑witnesses produced in the case, the motive as well as the matching of the‑empty recovered from the spot with the gun taken into possession from the petitioner. The petitioner was convicted under section 302, P. P. C. and sentenced to life imprisonment and fine. The learned Judge in the High Court while deciding the appeal filed by the petitioner held that the presence of the other eye‑witness, Muhammad Aslam, was not free from doubt, the Fire‑arm Expert's opinion was of no avail to the prosecution yet maintained the conviction and sentence of the petitioner on the solitary statement of Sher Muhammad (P. W. 9).

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner has contended that there was inordinate delay in lodging the F. I. R. The version of the occurrence given in the F. I. R. was materially different from the statement made at the trial. There were visible signs of improvements made by Sher Muhammad (P.W. 9) with the sole object of making his statement consistent with the medical evidence. The motive was not proved and was not sufficient to account for the act attributed to the petitioner.

6. We consider that the questions whether the solitary statement of Sher Muhammad (P. W. 9) in such a situation and with these features could by itself form the sole basis of conviction and whether in placing implicit reliance on it the Courts have kept in view the principles recognized and applied by this Court for ensuring safe administration of criminal justice, require fuller examination. Leave is, therefore, granted. Leave granted.