Suspect should not be deprived of bail in case of 'reasonable doubt' over involvement, SC rules
ISLAMABAD: Taking exception to the prosecution’s shifting stance without realising the gravity of that conduct in a case regarding expired drugs, the Supreme Court has ruled that whenever reasonable doubt arises, a suspect should not be deprived of the benefit of bail. The object of a trial is to make an under-trial suspect answer criminal trial instead of punishing by letting him rot behind…
The Supreme Court has ruled that a suspect should not be denied bail if reasonable doubt exists regarding their involvement in a crime. The ruling came after a three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard a criminal appeal filed by Muhammad Akbar. Akbar had been granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 16 in a case regarding expired drugs.
The court cited the gravity of the prosecution's shifting stance and the potential deprivation of bail benefits during a trial. The case involved allegations of transporting expired drugs under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Drugs Act 1976, which carry severe penalties. During the July hearing, the prosecution modified the initial First Information Report (FIR) by adding new sections, which the court deemed to be done without a valid reason.
This led to concerns that the prosecution may have added certain sections to complicate the case and potentially deprive the suspect of bail. The court emphasized that the case should be made out for further inquiry due to the divergent pleas and insertions/deletions of sections in the FIR.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
