TANVIR AHMAD KHAN, J.- Petitioners through this application have sought, post arrest bail in a case registered ride FIR No. 272/97, on 6.9.1997, under Section 5 of the Punjab Prevention of Gambling Act VII of 1978, at Police Station Khushab.
2. The allegations against the petitioners are that they were found alongwith six other co-accused playing cards on the road side at Fawara Chowk Mohallah Islampura. Khushab. An amount of Rs.
5480. apart from three bicycles and a Seiko Watch were also recovered from the accused.
3. Bail is sought on the ground that the petitioners have been implicated in this case in a mala fide manner. As further argument has been advanced that the other six co-accused have been granted bail while the petitioners have been denied the concession.
4. Learned State Counsel have opposed the grant of bail and stated that the petitioners are hardened criminal. However, he could not support his stance from any record.
5. I have considered the contentions. I have noticed that the case was registered as far back as on 6.9.1997 and since then the petitioners are in jail. The challan has already been submitted and the offence does not fall within the prohibitory' clause, in these circumstances, keeping in view the principles of consistency, the petitioners are admitted to bail provided they furnish bail bonds in the sum of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only with to sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of Judicial Magistrate concerned.