MUHAMMAD ASIF JAN, J. Javaid Iqbal aged about 35 years was arrested on the 22nd of January, 1995, and is languishing in jail ever since awaiting his trial which has commenced but has not concluded, in pursuance of a lase registered against him vide F.I.R. No. 806/88. Dated the 8th of October, 1988, under Sections 302/307/380 and 34 P.P.C, at Police Station Nawankot of District Lahore. The petitioner has now been continuously in jail for over 3 years and is, therefore, clearly entitled to the benefit of the statutory ground available in clause (b) of the 3rd proviso to Section 497, Cr.P.C, which benefit is his statutory right as held recently by their Lordships of the Supreme Court in the case of Sher Ali alias Sheri v. The State, reported in 1998 S.C.M.R, page 190.
2. Resultantly, the petitioner is granted bail provided he furnishes bail bonds in the sum of Rs.50,000/- with two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court.
3. Copy dasti on payment of usual charges.