The petitioner alongwith three others stands charged with the murder of Rashid Mahmood deceased, on 13-10-1982 at 12-45 Noon in the area of Kot Khawaja Saeed, Lahore.
2. Bail is urged on the grounds that the petitioner is under arrest for the last 18 months and the trial has not commenced as yet. The next ground is that of alibi. It is stated that the petitioner was present at Faisalabad on the relevant day in connection with a complaint case instituted by him and that his statement was also recorded on the said day.
3. Learned counsel for the State has opposed the bail. According to him the plea of alibi can be adjudged by the trial Court after recording the evidence and further that the trial has been fixed w.e.f, 19-6-1984. Learned counsel states that there is likelihood of further delay in its conclusion.
4. Since the case has been fixed for trial I do not consider it proper to allow bail at this stage. Accordingly I dismiss the application.
5. However, the trial Court is directed to conclude the case before summer vacation. The petitioner may apply again for bail if the trial is not concluded by the abovementioned period.