1. ' LEHRASAP KHAN, J.--- The petitioners Ijaz Ahmad, Riaz Ahmad, Muhammad Mubashar and Muhammad Azam have been convicted by a learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bahawalnagar on 6-1-1987 under sections 302/149, P.P.C. 307/149, P.P.C. And 148, P.P.C. They have been sentenced to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs,5,000 each or in default one year's R.I. Each under section 302/149, P.P.C. And five years' R.I. And a fine of Rs,3,000 each or in default one year's R.I. Each under section 307/149, P.P.C. While under section 148, P.P.C. They have been sentenced to two years' R.I.
2. Each or in default six months' further R.I.
3. ' Through the present criminal miscellaneous application the aforementioned petitioners have sought to be released on. Bail on statutory ground. Previously the petitioners' plea for bail on merits was considered and declined on 29-5-1987. The convictions and sentences as detailed above were awarded vide judgment dated 6th January, 1987 by a learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bahawalnagar. The appeal filed by the petitioners challenging their convictions and sentences has not yet been decided. A period of two years has gone by since after the convictions of the petitioners and thus they have earned statutory right for suspension of sentence under section 426(1)(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. No reason has been shown by the learned counsel representing the State for an otherwise direction except that earlier the petitioners' application for bail has been dismissed. As already observed the earlier application was based on merits of the case and not on statutory ground. On the basis of statutory ground the sentence of the petitioners is suspended and they are directed to be released on bail on furnishing security in the sum of Rs,25,000 each with one surety each in the like amount to the satisfaction of A.C. Bahawal n agar.
4. Life .