Categories Courts

Courts Must Exercise Discretion in Favour of Accused on Concurrent Sentences, SC Rules

ISLAMABAD –  The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that courts are empowered to direct that sentences for multiple convictions should run concurrently rather than consecutively. This decision, announced by a three-member bench, emphasizes that judicial discretion should ordinarily be exercised in favor of the accused, especially in case of a minor.
In a reported verdict, the bench, consisting of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, delivered the verdict in the case of Noor Muhammad etc. v. The State (Jail Petitions Nos. 603/2017, 442/2019, 443/2019 & 444/2019). The case involved a petitioner who had been convicted in three separate cases and was sentenced to multiple prison terms, including life imprisonment.

After the High Court dismissed his appeals, he filed petitions with the apex court. In its analysis, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the principle established in Mst. Shahista Bibi’s case, which held that sentences of imprisonment or life imprisonment, whether from the same trial or separate trials, must run concurrently. The court highlighted that this principle is based on Section 397 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The ruling reasserts the judiciary’s duty to balance penal consequences with fairness, ensuring that punishment for multiple offenses doesn’t become disproportionately harsh. The court stressed that the power to order concurrent sentences under Section 397 CrPC should be used to benefit the accused unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant otherwise.

Author

Khudayar Mohla, Managing Partner Mohla & Mohla, Founder of the Law Today Pakistan,

Managing Partner at Mohla & Mohla - Advocates and Legal Consultants, Islamabad, Founder of The Law Today Pakistan (TLTP) Newswire Service. Former President Press Association of Supreme Court of Pakistan with over two decades of coverage of defining judicial moments - including the dissolution and restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Asif Ali Zardari NAB cases, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani contempt proceedings, Panama Papers case against Mian Nawaz Sharif, matters involving Imran Khan, and the high treason trial of former Army Chief and President Pervez Musharraf. He now practises law and teaches Jurisprudence, International Law, Civil and Criminal Law. Can be reached at: mohla@lawtoday.com.pk

More From Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Khudayar Mohla,Islamabad High Court, IHC, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Dr. Zeeshan Ashraf, IVY School of Law, IVY College of Management Sciences, Amicus Curiae, Haq Mehr, Dower Rights, Islamic Jurisprudence, Shariah Law, Limitation Act 1908, Article 104 Limitation Act, Article 227 Constitution of Pakistan, Women's Financial Rights, Widow Inheritance, West Pakistan Family Courts Act 1964, Surah An-Nisa, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, National Commission on the Status of Women, Matrimonial Financial Disputes, Pakistan Legal News, Legislative Reform.

IVY School of Law HoD’s Dr. Zeeshan Ashraf Convinces IHC to Overturn Dower Time-Bar

ISLAMABAD: In a precedent-setting 21-page judgment aimed at harmonizing statutory law with Islamic injunctions, the…

Federal Constitutional Court Pakistan, FCC Pakistan judgment, tax raid without notice Pakistan, tax authorities raid powers, Justice Aamer Farooq decision, Income Tax Ordinance 2001 Pakistan, FBR enforcement powers, taxpayer raid law Pakistan, tax compliance enforcement Pakistan, super tax Pakistan ruling, Section 4(b) Income Tax Ordinance, Section 4(c) Income Tax Ordinance, Islamabad High Court contempt case, missing persons case Pakistan courts, Shehbaz Sharif contempt case, Aafia Siddiqui case legal developments, PTI cases in courts Pakistan, Article 175E Constitution Pakistan, judiciary independence debate Pakistan, Pakistan constitutional court performance, Khudayar Mohla Advocate

FCC Says Tax Authorities Can Conduct Raids Without Prior Notice

ISLAMABAD: In another legal reprieve for the government, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that tax…

Khudayar Mohla Advocate, Editor Law Today Khudayar Mohla,Peshawar High Court, PHC, Tirah Valley, Tirah evacuation, illegal evacuation, unconstitutional evacuation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, federal government, IDPs, internally displaced persons, Zarak Khan Afridi, Barrister Saud Javed Dawar, Advocate Mohammad Yousaf Orakzai, military operation, Khyber tribal district, relief and rehabilitation, compensation for displaced, safe return, lawful procedure, KP Assembly, Article 232, Pakistani courts, preliminary hearing, displaced population, extreme weather, snow, civilian safety, federal response, provincial response, court directives, Pakistan news, legal proceedings, Peshawar news

PHC Seeks Centre, KPK Response on Tirah Evacuation Plea

PESHAWAR: While issuing notices to federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments on Wednesday in response to …