Muhammad Ali petitioner, who is involved in a case under section 16 of the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979, arising out of F.I.R. No. 284, dated 19-8-1983, of Police Station Depalpur, seeks to be released on bail.
2. It is alleged that on 11-7-1983, i.e. One month and eight days prior to the registration of the case, the petitioner with the abetment of Hasani, Latif Farzand and Shaman etc. Abducted Mst. Taj Bibi, aged about 20/21 years, a married daughter of Muhammad Sarwar, the first informant, for illicit purposes. Hasani etc. Have been declared innocent as a result of investigation but the petitioner is in the lock-up since the registration of the case and challan has not yet been submitted.
3. It has been contended on behalf of the petitioner that delay of more than one month in lodging the F.I.R. Has not been explained and that the offence punishable under section lb of Ordinance VII of 1979 does not fall within the prohibitory clause of section 497, Code of Criminal Procedure. It has further been urged that a period of more than six months has elapsed since after the arrest of the petitioner but no challan against, him has so far been submitted.
4. It has been argued on behalf of the State that there are allegations of rape against the petitioner and, therefore, he did not deserve to be released on bail.
5. There are no such allegations in the F. I. R. No statement of the abductee, containing allegations of rape against the petitioner, has been shown. The abductee has since been recovered but not from the petitioner. Medical evidence in respect of the abductee, if any, cannot be of much consequence because she is admittedly a married woman.
6. In the above circumstances, without prejudice to the meats of the case, the petitioner is admitted to bail in the sum of Rs.20,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the