{
  "id": 6678001,
  "title": "Fair trial is a fundamental right: SC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/fair-trial-is-a-fundamental-right-sc",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T01:00:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40438899/fair-trial-is-a-fundamental-right-sc"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Supreme Court ruled that a fair trial is a fundamental right protected by Article 10A of the Constitution. The three-member bench, led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, examined the case brought by the Punjab government against a Lahore High Court's decision. The court emphasized that natural justice principles demand that anyone facing action be given a fair chance to be heard, explain themselves, and contest allegations before being found guilty. The judgment clarified that even if a statute remains silent on the right to a fair trial, the principles of natural justice must still be strictly followed. In the case at hand, the Board of Revenue was obligated to provide a reasonable opportunity for the respondent to present a case before cancelling the land on unilateral decision-making. The court found that this was not done, as there was no notice issued and no opportunity for hearing before the land was canceled without any contestation.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has held that a fair trial is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 10A of the Constitution, and that courts and quasi-judicial authorities are bound to analyse the facts and circumstances of each case to determine whether this indispensable right was afforded or denied. A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the Punjab government’s…",
  "key_points": [
    "Fair trial is fundamental right per Article 10A.",
    "Supreme Court clarifies natural justice principles.",
    "Board of Revenue failed to provide hearing before land cancellation."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Supreme Court's ruling cements the right to a fair trial as a cornerstone of the justice system, reinforcing that even statutory silence cannot negate the principles of natural justice.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}