LHC grants bail in fake currency case, says bail cannot be used as punishment

Justice Amjad Pervez, in a four-page written order, declared the accused’s alleged confession unacceptable and directed his release on Rs100,000 surety

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted post-arrest bail to an accused in a fake currency case, observing that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence linking him to the manufacture or sale of counterfeit notes.

Justice Amjad Pervez, in a four-page written order, declared the accused’s alleged confession unacceptable and directed his release on Rs100,000 surety bonds with one surety.

The court noted that, apart from the counterfeit currency allegedly recovered from the accused, there was no reliable evidence on record establishing that he had manufactured or sold fake notes. The court also observed that the prosecution had not produced evidence regarding any previous or prospective buyers.

While examining the circumstances of the arrest, the court noted that the accused had been apprehended from a busy public place, but no independent witnesses had been associated with the raid.

Justice Amjad Pervez reiterated that bail cannot be withheld as a form of punishment and that an accused remains presumed innocent unless guilt is established through trial.

The court clarified that its observations were confined to the bail proceedings and would not prejudice the trial court’s decision on the merits of the case.