' The facts giving rise to the filing of this criminal appeal are that appellant Miss Razia Qureshi, who was Principal at Government College for Women, Faisalabad alongwith another stood involved in a case registered vide F.I.R. Dated 29-5-1978 with Police Station Anti-Corruption Establishment, Faisalabad, for an offence under section 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 read with section 34, P.P.C. The case came up for trial before Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Sargodha, who vide judgment dated 3-6-1989 sentenced her to imprisonment till the rising of the Court and a fine of Rs,2,000, or in default S.I. For three months.
2. The appeal was fixed for arguments today. I am informed by learned counsel for the appellant that the appellant has since died. In this view of the matter, the appeal has abated. Learned counsel for the appellant has further pointed out that the appellant was convicted till rising of the Court and sentence of fine was also imposed. Contended that the appellant was Principal of a College and had served education throughout her life. Further asserted that the investigation and the trial dragged on for more than ten years and the deceased/Principal-appellant suffered irreparable loss to her reputation as well. Submitted that in such cases imposition of fine should not have been ordered. It was further asserted that the appellant was placed under suspension in the 1978 and till retirement she remained under suspension for more than ten years. Contended that this in itself was a great hardship. Submitted that keeping these points in view, the sentence of fine may be set aside. The contentions were opposed by learned counsel for the State.
3. I have heard both the sides. The reasons given by learned counsel for the appellant make it a fit case where imposition of fine should be done away with. With setting aside the sentence of fine the appeal has abated.