Supreme Court says suspect must retain bail when reasonable doubt exists
The Supreme Court ruled that a suspect should not lose bail if reasonable doubt about involvement remains.
In a July 22 hearing, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar upheld and extended bail for Muhammad Akbar, originally granted in April. The court criticized the prosecution for altering the FIR—replacing drug-related sections with serious corruption and fraud charges—without notifying the court. State counsel Baqir Shah and investigating officer Muhammad Ajmal could not justify the amendments or present new evidence beyond four witness statements.
Justice Mazhar warned that such tactics appear intended to complicate the case and deprive the accused of bail. He ordered that any new charges must be disclosed before bail decisions and noted the suspect remains detained despite the bail order. The judgment calls for further inquiry into the suspect’s culpability.
Why it matters
It clarifies bail rights in Pakistan, stressing that suspects cannot be jailed when doubt about guilt exists.
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