1. ' MAMOON KAZI, J.---The petitioner is facing charges under section 17(3) of Offences Against Property (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979, before the Additional Sessions Judge, Karachi South.
2. ' It may be pointed out that First Information Report was lodged on 7-8-1996 at 11-00 a.m. At Police Station North Nazimabad regarding snatching of a Suzuki High-roof motor car from its owner by two persons who were said to be armed with T.T. Pistols. On the next day at about 11-00 hours, five persons including the petitioner were involved in an encounter with police and the said car is said to have been recovered from the possession of the petitioner. Therefore, a case under section 17(3) of the said Ordinance was registered at the said police station against him. The petitioner filed his bail application invoking the third proviso to section 497(1), Cr.P.C. On the ground of delay in the conclusion of his trial. The bail application was, however, dismissed as the petitioner was found to be involved in car snatching which was an offence of heinous nature. The petitioner's bail application filed before the High Court has also been dismissed on the same ground.
3. We find that the order passed by the learned Judge in Chambers is not open to exception. The learned Judge in the High Court obviously could not be oblivious of the high incidence of cases of car-snatching in the city of Karachi. Therefore, in our opinion, he rightly invoked the fourth proviso to section 497(1) while rejecting the petitioner's bail application. The petition is, therefore, dismissed and leave is refused.