Pakistan Case Law← Search
2011 CLC 1552

MUHAMMAD TAHIR vs ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE-II, BAHAWALNAGAR and 5

Citation2011 CLC 1552
CourtLahore High Court
Case No.Writ Petition No,3269 of 2011/BWP
Date2011-06-16
Judge(s)Abdus Sattar Asghar
ResultPetition dismissed

ORDER

' ABDUS SATTAR ASGHAR, J.--- Brief facts leading to this petition are that Muhammad Tahir petitioner was appointed as guardian of her niece Mst. Jannat Firdous by the learned Guardian Judge, Bahawalnagar, vide order dated 4-7-2007 after the death of her father Zafar lqbal.

Muhammad Iqbal respondent No,3 brother of minor Mst. Jannat Firdous filed an application for cancellation of guardianship of the petitioner Muhammad Tahir before the learned Guardian Judge, Bahawalnagar on the ground that the petitioner has misappropriated the amounts received through pension, benevolent fund, etc. Of the deceased father of the minor instead of expending it for the welfare of the minor.

2. Present petitioner contested the said application by filing the written reply wherein he denied the allegation of misappropriation of the minor's financial assets and also levelled cross-allegation of fraud and cheating upon Muhammad lqbal brother of minor Mst. Jannat Firdous. The learned Guardian Judge after going through the pleadings of the parties summoned Muhammad Tahir guardian, Muhammad Yaqoob surety to the guardian as well as minor Mst. Jannat Firdous along with the original guardianship certificate in the court on 1-3-2011. On the said date i.e. 1-3-2011, Muhammad Yaqoob surety and Muhammad Tahir guardian (present petitioner) got recorded their separate statements before the learned Guardian Judge, Bahawalnagar. Muhammad Yaqoob surety stated that Muhammad Tahir guardian had given him Rs,30,000, which he is ready to deposit in the court and that he be relieved of the surety bond/liability. Simultaneously, Muhammad Tahir guardian made the statement that Muhammad Yaqoob surety had deposited Rs,30,000 with the Civil Nazir of the court and that he is ready to return remaining amount of Rs,1,42,000 through monthly instalments and for this purpose he is ready to produce fresh surety.

The learned Guardian. Judge in the light of the above referred statements of the petitioner (guardian at fault) and the surety Muhammad Yaqoob has passed the following order on 1-3-2011:- -- "Statements of surety and respondent No,1 (guardian at fault), recorded. In view of the statements, the surety Muhammad Yaqoob is discharged from his liability. Surety Muhammad Yaqoob has deposited Rs,30,000 with the Civil Nazir of this Court. Mst. Jannat Firdous can withdraw this amount upon submission of application. As per order dated 26-2-2011, to the extent of remaining amount of Rs,1,42,000, the respondent No,I is directed to deposit the same in two equal instalments, which shall be paid on 5th of every month. Respondent be sent ro District Jail, Bahawalnagar and be produced before the court on 14-3-2011."

3. Muhammad Tahir petitioner (guardian at fault) being aggrieved of the order dated 1-3-2011 assailed it in revision petition dated 7-4-2011 before the learned District Judge, Bahawalnagar, which came up for hearing on 13-5-2011 before the learned Additional District Judge, Bahawalnagar. Learned Additional District Judge after hearing the counsel for the petitioner dismissed the revision petition vide order dated 13-5-2011.

4. Muhammad Tahir petitioner (guardian at fault) through instant writ petition has challenged the vires of both the impugned orders dated 1-3-2011 passed by learned Guardian Judge, Bahawalnagar and order dated 13-5-2011 passed by learned Additional District Judge, Bahawalnagar, on the grounds that the said orders are illegal, against law and facts, arbitrary and liable to be set aside.

5. I have given patient hearing to learned counsel for the petitioner and carefully gone through the record.

6. It is an admitted fact that the financial assets of the minor were given in the hands of Muhammad Tahir petitioner as a sacred trust on his appointment as guardian of the minor. In this regard I have the honour to cite English translation of the Verse Nos.2, 6 and 10 of Surah An-Nisah, Chapter No,4, of the Holy Quran, which reads below:--- ' Verse No,2.--- "Give unto orphans their wealth. Exchange not the good for the bad (in your management thereof) nor absorb their wealth into your own wealth. Lo! That would be a great sin."

' Verse No,6.--- "Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age; then, if ye find them of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune; and devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up. Whose (of the guardians) is rich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whose is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship).

And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence. Allah sufficeth as a Reckoner."

' Verse No,10.--- "Lo! Those who devour, the wealth of orphans wrongfully, they do but swallow fire into their bellies, and they will be exposed to burning flame."

7. At this juncture it will not be out of place to refer that vide Article 2A of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the principles and provisions positioned in the Objectives Resolution have been made substantive part of the Constitution and shall have effect accordingly. Clause-IV of the Objectives Resolution reads as under:- "Wherein the Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah."

' Needless to mention that as a Muslim we must adhere to the ordains of Holy Quran, in letter and spirit as practised by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to ensure dispensation of justice to the individuals as well as to the society.

8. It is pertinent to mention that application of Muhammad Iqbal brother of the minor Mst. Jannat Firdous for cancellation of guardianship certificate of Muhammad Tahir. Petitioner is pending adjudication before the learned Guardian Judge, Bahawalnagar. The proceedings dated 1-3-2011 were recorded by learned Guardian Judge on the voluntary statements of Muhammad Yaqoob surety and Muhammad Tahir petitioner (guardian at fault). In the light of their statements unauthorized payment of Rs,30,000 by the guardian to Muhammad Yagoob surety prima facie makes out a case of misappropriation.

9. In such circumstances, provisions of section 43 of the Guardians ID and Wards Act, 1890 are attracted which reads below:--- '43. Orders for regulating conduct or proceedings of guardians, and enforcement of those ordeRs,--- (1) The Court may, on the application of any person interested or of its own motion, make an order regulating the conduct or proceedings of any guardian appointed or declared by the Court."

' In the light of section 43 of the Act (ibid) I do not find any illegality or unlawful exercise of jurisdiction by the learned Guardian Judge. Learned counsel for the petitioner in his arguments has not been able to point out any illegality or unlawful exercise of jurisdiction by the learned Guardian Judge.

10. At this juncture it is pertinent to mention that an order passed in terms of section 43 of the Act ibid is appealable under section 47(i) of the Act ibid. Since efficacious remedy of appeal is available to the F petitioner if aggrieved of the impugned order, therefore, instant writ petition under Article 199 of the Constitution is not maintainable at all and is dismissed in limine.

For educational and research use only — not legal advice. Verify against the official report before relying on it. See our Disclaimer.
Disclaimer·Privacy·Terms·Search