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Petitioner: SAW ULLAH VS Respondent: THE STATE and others
Court Name: Islamabad High Court Judge(s): Athar Minallah, Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb Title: SAW ULLAH vs THE STATE and others Case No.: Writ Petitions Nos.2605, 3049, 3198, 2855, 3030 of 2016 Date of Judgment:2017-02-27 Reported As: PLD 2017 Islamabad 143 Result: Order accordingly
JUDGMENT
JUDGMENT ATHAR MINALLAH, J.--Through this consolidated order, we shall decide the instant writ petition along with W.P. No. 3049 of 2016 (Irfan Ullah Khan v. NAB, etc), W.P. No. 3198 of 2016 (Mohammad Nouman Qureshi v. Chairman NAB), W.P. No. 2855 of 2016 (Muhammad Ejaz v. Chairman NAB) and W.P. No. 3030 of 2016 (Hafiz Muhammad Nawaz v. The State, etc). In all these petitions a common question is involved i.e. the scope of granting bail on the ground of delay in relation to the proceedings under the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as the "Ordinance of 1999') and whether it can be claimed as of right in terms of the third proviso to section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code (hereinafter referred to as "Cr.P.C"). Moreover, whether a second petition seeking bail will be competent when an earlier petition has been dismissed, wherein one of the grounds taken was regarding delay in the conclusion of the trial. 2. The facts in each case are briefly stated as follows;- W.Ps. Nos. 3198 of 2016 and 2855 of 2016. 3. The petitioner in W.P. No. 3198 of 2016 (Mohammad Nouman Qureshi) was arrested on 28.08.2014; whereas the petitioner in W.P. No. 2855 of 2016 (Muhammad Ejaz) was arrested on 27.05.2015. Both the petitioners were arrested in connection with the Supplementary Reference No.5 of 2015, filed by the NAB and relating to the .alleged involvement of the petitioners in the business of Mudaraba. It is alleged that the petitioners and other accused, in connivance with each other, had made false representations to the general public so as to induce them to invest in the business of a partnership firm namely 'NE Associate'. The inquiry was authorized on 08.05.2014, and later it was converted into investigations by the competent authority vide order dated 02.12.2014. National Accountability Bureau had received more than 150 complaints from members of the general public involving an alleged amount of Rs.871 million. Two of the accused had offered to return the alleged
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amount to their extent and the competent authority had accepted the said offer of Voluntary Return. Two other accused have been declared as proclaimed offenders by the competent Court. It is alleged that both the petitioners were actively involved in running the business of the firm and had executed a general power of attorney in favour of one Sardar Mohammad Ali regarding the sale of a poultry control shed situated in Patois. It is alleged that the petitioner, namely Muhammad Ejaz, was instrumental in the transfer of a lease of mines situated in District Mansehra in his and in the name of the partnership firm. It is further alleged that the payment for this purpose was made by Muhammad Nauman Qureshi. The charge was framed against Muhammad Ejaz on 09.10.2015. Out of 176 witnesses 106 have been examined so far and, therefore, more than 50 witnesses are yet to enter the witness box. The petitioner in W.P. No. 2855,of 2016, namely, Muhammad Ejaz has filed the petitions seeking bail on the ground of delay for the first time. The petitioner in W.P. No. 3198 of 2016 had earlier filed W.P. No. 110 of 2015, seeking bail on merits and the same was dismissed vide order dated 30.06.2015. The petitioner in the said petition had also taken the ground of delay and this Court, while dismissing his petition, had held that the latter was not entitled to bail on the statutory ground of delay. The order of this Court was upheld since the august Supreme Court, vide order dated 17.09.2015 passed in C.P. No. 2240 of 2015, had refused to grant leave. Perusal of the order passed by the august Supreme Court, dated 17.09.2015, clearly shows that the ground of delay had been specifically raised but it did not find favour with a Division Bench of this Court. It is noted, therefore, that in the case of Muhammad Nauman Qureshi, the ground of delay had been taken in the earlier petition and the same was considered but yet the bail was refused. However, the case of Muhammad Ejaz is distinguishable since W.P. No. 2855 of 2016 is the first bail petition seeking bail on the sole ground of delay in the conclusion of the trial. W.P. No. 2605 of 2016. 4. The petitioner, namely Saif Ullah, was arrested on 17.12.2014. The supplementary Reference was filed in October, 2015: It is alleged that NAB had received more than 910 complaints against one Mufti Ahsan-ul-Haq, who was the Chief Executive of a juridical person namely, M/S Fayazi Gujranwala Industries Pvt. Ltd. It is alleged that the latter, in connivance with other accused, had falsely represented to the general public and had induced them to invest in the business of the company under the Mudaraba concept of investment. It is further alleged that while doing so the accused persons had collected and thus misappropriated an amount of Rs.8.5 billion. The inquiry was authorized on 16.04.2013. The main accused, namely Mufti Ahsan-ul-Haq, offered to return the alleged amount by way of Voluntary Return as contemplated under the Ordinance of 1999. The competent authority accepted the otter and approved the same on 18.06.2013. The main accused was, therefore, released pursuant to partial payment made against the approved Voluntary Return. The said Voluntary Return was subsequently cancelled pursuant to the decision of the Board in its meeting held on 25.09.2013. It is alleged that more than 24 complaints from the general public were received against the present petitioner, alleging his involvement to the extent of Rs.7.750 million. The petitioner had earlier filed a petition seeking bail and the same was dismissed by this Court vide order dated 11.01.2016. Perusal of the dismissed memo of the petition i.e. W.P. No. 3076 of 2015, shows that the ground of delay had been raised therein and the same did not find favour with this Court. It is therefore obvious that the earlier petition was dismissed on merits and that the grounds included delay in the conclusion of the trial. There are 1100 witnesses who are yet to be examined and the charge has not yet been framed. W.P. No. 3049 of 2016. 5. The petitioner, namely Irfan Ullah Khan, was arrested on 24.02.2015, in connection with Reference No. 10 of 2011. The petitioner at the relevant time was a serving civil servant. He was proceeded against on the basis of allegations of being involved in corruption and corrupt practices while posted as the Incharge of the project known as 'Tawana Pakistan'. The said project was under the
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administrative control of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education. The petitioner had earlier filed W.P. No. 1556 of 2015 and W.P. No. 3799 of 2015. The latter petition had been filed seeking bail on medical grounds while the former on merits. Both these petitions were dismissed by a Division Bench of this Court vide order dated 12.01.2016. It is noted that while dismissing the petitions this Court had directed the competent Court to conclude the trial within six months from the date of receipt of the order. Since the trial could not be concluded pursuant to the direction of this Court, therefore, the instant petition has been filed seeking bail on the sole ground of delay. It is the case of the petitioner that delay in concluding the trial is not due to his act nor that of his counsel. W.P. No. 3030 of 2016. 6. The petitioner, namely Hafiz Muhammad Nawaz, was arrested on 28-01-2014. This is his third petition filed under Article 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, seeking bail on the sole ground of delay. The first bail petition i.e. W.P. No. 2018/2014 was dismissed vide order dated 23-07-2014. In the said petition he had taken the ground of delay but the same did not find favour with a learned Division Bench of this Court. The second bail petition i.e. W.P. No. 102 of 2015 was also dismissed vide order dated 11-01-2016. Perusal of the memo of the third petition also shows that the ground of delay was taken by the petitioner. In this case out of 1100 witnesses only four have been examined till date. The learned counsel has stressed that delay in the conclusion of the trial cannot be attributed to the petitioner. 7. In all these petitions the petitioners are seeking bail on the sole ground of delay. As noted above, in three cases the petitioners had filed petitions earlier and the same were dismissed. Two of the petitioners had taken the ground of delay in their bail petitions but the same did not find favour with this Court and the august Supreme Court. 8. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners have contended that; the petitioners are entitled to be released on bail and that a right has accrued in their favour on the basis of the third proviso of section 497 of the Cr.P.C; the delay has not been caused due to the acts or omissions of the petitioners nor their counsel; it is a case of hardship; since the delay cannot be attributed to the petitioners and they have remained incarcerated for a period of more than one year from the date of their arrest, therefore, they are entitled to be released on bail as of right; in all the cases a large number of witnesses are yet to be examined and, therefore, the petitioners cannot be denied bail or incarcerated for an indefinite period. Reliance has been placed on the cases titled "Himesh Khan v. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore and others" [2015 SCMR 10921 "Syed Mansoor Ali and others v. Chairman, NAB and others" [PLD 2016 Sindh 41] and "Abdullah v. The State and another" [1985 SCMR 1509]. 9. The learned ADPG appeared along with the Investigation Officers in the respective cases and has argued that; the petitioners cannot claim that they be released on bail as of right in the context of statutory delay since the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, particularly section 497 Cr.P.C, are not attracted; the Ordinance of 1999 is a special law and, therefore, its provisions will prevail; to the extent of the petitioners who had earlier sought bail and their petitions had been dismissed, a second bail petition is not competent and reliance in this regard has been placed on an unreported judgment of the august Supreme Court.dated 30-03-2016 passed in the case titled Malik Naveed Khan v. Director General National Accountability Bureau and others in Civil Petition No. 3068 of 2015. The learned ADPG has vociferously argued that dismissal of a petition seeking bail on the ground of delay would be a bar in seeking the same relief through a second petition. 10.The learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned ADPG have been heard and the record perused with their able assistance. 11.Admittedly, the petitioners in all the five petitions are seeking bail on the sole ground of delay in the conclusion of trial. In all these cases the petitioners have remained incarcerated for more than one year. In each case either a Reference or a Supplementary Reference has been filed.
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Muhammad Nauman Qureshi, Hafiz Mohammad Nawaz and Saif Ullah had earlier filed petitions seeking bail on various grounds, which also included delay in the conclusion of trial. The instant petitions are definitely second petitions filed by them, seeking bail on the ground of delay and since the dismissal of their earlier petitions a considerable time has elapsed but the trial has not been concluded. In the case of petitioner Irfan Ullah, despite the direction given by a Division Bench of this Court, the trial could not be concluded within six months and, therefore, the latter is seeking bail on the ground of delay. Muhammad Ejaz is seeking bail for the first time on the sole ground of delay. The learned ADPG has strongly contested the petitions on the basis of the recent judgment passed by the apex Court in the case of Malik Naveed (supra). Moreover, the learned ADPG has strenuously argued that the ground of statutory delay provided under section 497 of Cr.P.C. is not available to those who are proceeded against under the Ordinance of 1999 because the said provisions have been expressly ousted by the legislature under section 9 (b) ibid. The questions which emerged for our consideration are, the scope of this Court in entertaining a constitutional petition seeking bail on the ground of delay in relation to a person who has been proceeded against under the Ordinance of 1999, and whether such a person would be entitled to invoke the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 199 successively, when an earlier petition has been dismissed wherein the ground of delay was taken. In order to answer these questions, it would be beneficial to examine the provisions of the Ordinance of 1999 and the principles and law enunciated in this regard in the precedent law. 12. The Ordinance of 1999 was enacted with the object and purpose of providing effective measures for the detection, investigation, prosecution and speedy disposal of cases involving corruption, corrupt practices, misappropriation of property, kickbacks, commissions and for matters connected and ancillary or incidental thereto. Section .3 gives an overriding effect to the provisions of the Ordinance of 1999 and provides that, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the provisions ibid shall have effect. Clause (g) of section 5 defines a 'Court' as meaning an Accountability Court. Likewise, clause (1) defines 'Code' as meaning the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. The. National Accountability Bureau has been constituted under section 6. Section 9 (a) describes various offences. Clause (b) of section 9 provides that the offences under the Ordinance of 1999 shall be non-bailable and expressly bars the jurisdiction of the Court, inter alia, under section 497 of the Cr.P.C. to grant bail to any person accused of any offence under the Ordinance of 1999. The said provision was amended through Ordinance No. IV of 2000, dated 03.02.2000, whereby the words including the High Court' were inserted after the expression Court. However, the said words were later omitted through Ordinance No. XXXV of 2000, dated 10.08.2001. The effect of the latter amendment was obviously to exclude a High Court from the mischief of section 9(b). Section 12 empowers the freezing of property and provides for the procedure in this regard. Section 16 relates to trial of offences and clause (a) thereof, which starts with a non obstinate clause in the context of anything contained in any other law, mandates that an accused shall be prosecuted for an offence under the Ordinance of 1999 in the Court i.e. the exclusive court defined under section 5(g) and that the case shall be heard daily and disposed of within thirty days. Section 16 (d) empowers the Chairman NAB to file a Reference, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, before any Court established anywhere in Pakistan. Section 18(a) explicitly provides that the Court shall not take cognizance except on a Reference made by the Chairman or an officer authorized in this regard. Section 17 contemplates the extent to which the provisions of the Cr.P.C. shall apply to the proceedings under the Ordinance of 1999. Clauses (c), (d), (e) and (f) of section 18 describe the powers vested in the authorities of NAB relating to an inquiry and investigation. A plain reading of section 18 as a whole shows that the legislature in its wisdom has divided the proceedings into various stages i.e. (i) formation of an opinion by the Chairman or an officer authorized by him is a precondition for initiating proceedings against any
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person, (ii) pursuant to forming an opinion the competent person -refers the matter for inquiry or investigation, (iii) the powers in relation to conducting an inquiry and investigation are expansive, (iv) after conclusion of the inquiry and investigation; the material and evidence collected is required to be placed before the Chairman or such officer authorized in this behalf and the latter decides whether or not it would be proper and just to proceed further, and lastly, (v) the test for proceeding further has been expressly provided i.e. subjecting the filing of a Reference to sufficiency of material, which would justify doing so. The legislature in its wisdom has expressly 'used the expression 'expeditiously' in relation to the completion of an inquiry or investigation. Section 24 provides that, notwithstanding anything contained in the Cr.P.C. if a person is arrested then, as soon as possible, NAB shall inform him of the grounds and substance on the basis of which he has been arrested and produce him before the Court within a period of twenty four hours of arrest, excluding the time of the journey from the place of arrest to the Court. Moreover, it is provided in clear language that a person who has been arrested shall be liable to be detained in the custody of NAB for the purpose of inquiry and investigation for a period not exceeding ninety days. The legislature in its wisdom has further made it mandatory for the Court to ensure that a person is remanded to custody for a period not exceeding 15 days at a time, and every subsequent remand is subject to the said restriction and recording of reasons. Sections 31 and 31-A have obviously been inserted with the intent that the proceedings and trial are concluded rapidly, efficiently and with speed. 13. A plain reading of the Ordinance of 1999 as a whole, particularly the provisions highlighted above, unambiguously shows that the legislature has intended that the proceedings i.e. forming of an opinion regarding the initiation of the proceedings, inquiry, investigation and trial are conducted and completed expeditiously and without delay. A person arrested under the Ordinance of 1999 cannot be detained in custody by the NAB authorities for more than ninety days. Even during the time when an accused is in the custody of NAB, it is mandatory that he is produced before the Court and the remand cannot be given for a period exceeding 15 days after recording reasons in this regard. Likewise, it is the clear intent of the legislature that the Court trying An offence proceeds day to day and concludes the trial within thirty days. In relation to the completion of each stage of the proceedings, whether inquiry, investigation or trial, the legislature has explicitly used the expression 'expeditiously' or has prescribed a time frame with regard thereto. This legislative intent of completing each stage expeditiously and efficiently is affirmed by excluding the provisions of section 497 of the Cr.P.C. from the jurisdiction and powers of the Court. The ouster of section 497 Cr.P.C. essentially is of significance in the light of the scheme of the Ordinance of 1999, which is a self contained and complete statute dealing with the offences defined therein. 14.A bare reading of the Ordinance of 1999 as a whole, particularly the provisions highlighted above, manifests that the legislature has intended to provide for a comprehensive and self contained statute. The National Accountability Bureau has expansive and exclusive powers to achieve the object and purposes of the Ordinance of 1999 i.e. to detect, investigate and prosecute corruption, corrupt practices, misuse or abuse of power or authority etc. Exclusive Courts have been established throughout the country solely for conducting trials of persons proceeded against under the Ordinance of 1999. 'Speedy disposal of cases' is a crucial and fundamental object of the legislation. Wide powers vested in NAB or its Chairman affirms the intent of ensuring that there is no unreasonable delay in the proceedings till conclusion of trial. The legislature was indeed mindful of the importance of liberty of the person against whom proceedings are initiated. At every stage of the proceedings various safeguards have been prescribed to ensure that liberty of a person alleged to have committed an offence under the Ordinance of 1999 is not restrained or interfered with arbitrarily. The formation of an opinion regarding initiation of proceedings is premised on the existence of sufficient material and application of mind.
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15. The legislature has explicitly used the expressions 'expeditiously' as may be practical and feasible, in relation to the completion of an inquiry or investigation. A person accused of having committed an offence may be arrested but stringent safeguards, have been prescribed in this regard. It is important to note that the Court cannot take cognizance except upon filing of a reference. After filing of a reference the. Court has been expressly mandated to hear the case day to day and dispose it within thirty days. Expeditious and efficient conclusion of the proceedings is evident. Delay, therefore, is inevitably the antithesis of the legislative intent, particularly after an accused has been deprived of his liberty as a result of his arrest. The scheme of the Ordinance of 1999 has prescribed timelines for the period during which an accused may be kept in custody by NAB and the conclusion of trial. Though no time frame has been expressly provided for filing a reference but an unreasonable delay, depending on the facts and circumstances in each case, would definitely be inversed to the legislative intent. A person arrested would be justified in having a legitimate expectation that the latter will not be deprived of his right to freedom and liberty for an unreasonable period, particularly if the Court has taken cognizance. This legitimate expectation stems from the express language and scheme of the Ordinance of 1999. When such legitimate expectation is frustrated, it would give the affected person a valid ground to seek judicial review despite the ouster of section 497 of the Cr.P.C. Unreasonable delay in conclusion of the proceedings would tantamount to defeating the object and purposes of the Ordinance of 1999, particularly when it cannot be attributed to the person deprived of liberty. The august Supreme Court, in a series of judgments, has recognized the doctrine of legitimate expectation, both procedural as well as substantive. Reference may be made to "Pakistan Telecommunication Employees Trust and others v. Muhammad Arif and others" [2015 SCMR 147] Secretary, Govt. of Punjab, Finance Department and others v. M. Ismail Jayer and others" [2011 SCMR 1336], "Syed Mubashir Raza Jaffri and others v. EOBI and others" [2014 SCMR 949], "Nadeem Ahmed, Advocate v. FOP" [2013 SCMR 1062], "Application by Abdul Rehman Farooq Pirzada" [PLD 2013 829], "Govt. of Sindh through Secretary, Home Department and others v. Abdul Jabbar and others" [2004 SCMR 639], "Shafique Ahmad and others v. Government of Punjab and others" [PLD 2004 SC 168], "Government of Sindh through Secretary, Home. Department and others v. Abdul .Jabbar and others" [2004 PLC (CS) 99] and "Government of Pakistan through Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and another v. Facto Belarus Tractors Ltd." [2000 SCMR 112]. After the arrest of a person, delay in completing an inquiry or investigation, filing of a reference and concluding the trial would be a negation of a fair trial. 16. There is yet another crucial aspect in the context of delay in the proceedings, and that is the powers vested in NAB under section 25 of the Ordinance of 1999 to refer a case to the Court for approval of plea bargain. This unique feature is not provided in other penal statutes. Though the language of section 25(b) subjects this eventuality to making an offer by an accused voluntarily, but an unreasonable delay in conclusion of trial may have consequences vis a vis free consent, and thus may tantamount to coercion or undue influence. The legislature obviously has intended the offer to be out of free consent and without coercion or under influence. This provision when examined in light of the scheme of the Ordinance of 1999 reaffirms that delay in proceedings, particularly the trial would lead to defeating the legislative intent. Deprivation of liberty of a citizen for an indefinite period, would definitely encourage the NAB authorities to concentrate more on ending the matter on the basis of plea bargain rather than carrying out fair, efficient and professional investigations aimed at achieving conviction. Delay is, therefore, definitely obverse to the unambiguous intent of the legislature in enacting the Ordinance, of 1999. We will now advert to the precedent law in the context of granting bail in proceedings under the Ordinance of 1999. 17.The vires of the Ordinance of 1999 were challenged before the august Supreme Court and judgment was rendered in the case titled "Khan Asfandyar Wali and others v.…
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