2006 P Cr (PLP)
MUHAMMAD UMAR — Appellant Versus THE STATE — Respondent
| Citation | 2006 P Cr (PLP) |
| Forum / Court | Peshawar |
| Bench Members | N/A |
| Parties | MUHAMMAD UMAR — Appellant Versus THE STATE — Respondent |
| Primary Law | Control of Narcotic Substances Act (XXV of 1997) |
Q1: What are the key laws and sections cited in 2006 P Cr (PLP)?
This judgment primarily cites: Control of Narcotic Substances Act (XXV of 1997) as referenced in Pakistani case law index.
Q2: Which judicial bench decided the case 2006 P Cr (PLP)?
The case was heard and decided by the Peshawar bench comprising: N/A.
Q3: What is the official citation format for this judgment on Pakistan Law Portal?
Cite this legal precedent as: 2006 P Cr (PLP) (MUHAMMAD UMAR — Appellant Versus THE STATE — Respondent). Read the full summary and cross-referenced laws free on Pakistan Law Portal.
Laws Cited
Headnotes / Summary
S. 9(c)
Murasila as well as statements of two Police Officers showed that bag containing Charas in question was taken by a Head Constable who searched it
Said Head Constable had been abandoned for no reason
In presence of said high ranking police officers, it could not be understood as to why said Head Constable had taken the bag from accused and why he had searched the same
Presumption would be that in absence of production of said Head Constable, recovery was not made in presence of S.H.O. concerned
Both prosecution witnesses had admitted that bag allegedly recovered from accused, carried thereon the name of other person with telephone number
Possibility, in circumstances, could not be ruled out that it was the bag belonging to said other person, who left it either unattended or escaped with connivance of abandoned Head Constable
Certain personal belongings were recovered from the bag, but none of such belongings had been connected with the accused
Conviction and sentence awarded to accused by the Trial Court, were set aside and he was acquitted of the charge and set free extending him benefit of doubt.
Judgment & Decree
TARIQ PARVEZ KHAN, C.J.
Charge against the appellant is that he was found in possession of 5 Kgs. of Charas. According to the report made by Munawar Khan, S.-I. of Railway Police on 26-4-2004, he along with other police including Narcotics and Special Branch staff were present on the plateform of Railway Station Peshawar Cantt. When in the meanwhile present appellant was sighted allegedly holding handbag which was searched by Zaheer Ahmad, H.C. and has recovered from therein besides personal belongings 5 Kgs. of Charas (Gardha).
2. Appellant was tried and stands convicted by learned Additional Sessions Judge-VIII Peshawar under section 9(c), C. N.S. A. to 10 years' R.I. with a fine of Rs.10,000 and in default of payment of such fine to suffer further 6 months' S.I. with benefit of section 382-B, Cr.P.C.
3. When the appeal was taken up on 19-7-2005 and before we had gone in reading of evidence but because of quantity recovered, we found that it was not comparable with the sentence awarded, therefore, suo motu notice was given to the appellant as to why his sentence should not be enhanced.
4. Our this judgment shall dispose of Criminal Appeal bearing No.340 of 2005 filed by Muhammad Umar appellant and suo motu revision given by this Court.
5. After hearing learned counsel for the appellant as well as learned Deputy Attorney-General and after we have read the entire evidence, there are two very crucial points which have created substantial doubt in the case. It is in the Murasila as well as in the statement of Munawar Khan, S.-I. and Adil Khan, A.S.-I. that the bag was taken by Zaheer Ahmad, H.C. and also searched by him. Zaheer Ahmad has been abandoned for no reason. Where if high ranking Police Officers were present including Munawar Khan (P.W.2) and Adil Khan (P.W.3), we fail to understand as to why Zaheer Ahmad, H.C. has taken the bag from the accused-appellant and as to why he has searched it. Seen in the light of statement of Adil Khan (P.W.3) who stated that the S.H.O. generally sits in the Reporting Room and search is made by the constable, and that S.H.O. comes to the plate form just before departure of the train, it shall be presumed that in absence of production of Zaheer Ahmad, H.C., that recovery was not made in presence of Munawar Khan, S.H.O. (P.W.2).
6. Second alarming aspect is that both the above named witnesses admitted that the bag allegedly recovered from the appellant carrying thereon the name of one Zubair resident of Hangu with a telephone number. Possibility cannot be ruled out that it was the bag belonging to said Zubair, would leave it either unattended or escaped with connivance of Zubair constable. It has come in evidence that certain personal A belongings were recovered from the bag but none of such belongings have been connected with the appellant e.g., there were used pairs of clothes, they could have been tested that if they were of the size of appellant or otherwise.
7. We, therefore, extend the benefit of doubt to the appellant. His conviction and sentence are set aside and he is acquitted of the charge. He be set free from jail forthwith, if not required in any other case. Because of acquittal of the appellant in the main appeal, we withdraw our suo motu criminal revision. H.B.T./65/P???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Appeal accepted.