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09/06/2024

2023 MLD 20 kar

کسی غیر رجسٹرڈ شدہ دستاویزات کی منسوخی کیلئے دعوى استقرار حق بابت منسوخی دستاویزات ناقابل پیش رفت ہے۔ کیوں ایسی دستاویز نہ تو مدعا علیہ کو کوئی حقوق عطاء کرتی ہے اور نہ مدعی کو بنائے دعویٰ حاصل ہوتا ہے۔ دعوی جرمانے کیساتھ خارج۔

02/06/2024

نکاح نامہ کے چاروں پرتوں کو presumption of truth حاصل نہ ہے بلکہ نکاح نامہ کے صرف پہلے اور چوتھے پرت کو presumption of truth حاصل ہے

There is no cavil to the proposition as it has become a stone-etched legal position that nikahnama, being a public document carries with it presumption of truth as has been held by the superior courts in catena of judgments; however, such presumption of truth is available to the first and fourth pert of the nikahnama which are kept with the Nikah Khawan (in original register of nikahnamas) and forwarded to the Union Council concerned, in accordance with law, respectively, as these two pert are kept in the official custody.
Writ Petition-3075-21
EJAZ IQBAL VS
ADJ ETC
2021 LHC 9385

10/04/2024

2012 C L C 377
Section 9..Specific Relief Act,1877.
Suit for possession---Prerequisites stated.
While deciding the suit under section 9 of the Specific Relief Act, 1877, the following prerequisites must be followed for arriving at lawful conclusion:
(i) That the person suing must have been dispossessed;
(ii) That such dispossession must be of immovable property;
(iii) That such dispossession should be without consent and should be otherwise than in due course of law and
(iv) That the suit is to be brought within the period of six months from the dateof dispossession.

09/04/2024

ڈاکٹر کا عدالت میں بطور گواہ پیش ہوکر اپنی جاری کردہ۔پوسٹ مارٹم رپورٹ کے مندرجات بیان کرنا ضروری ہے۔
Legally, Postmortem report is viewed as a documented expert opinion, therefore, its production in the evidence through primary evidence though is admissible yet contents of it cannot be read unless doctor appears as a witness to authenticate and verify that it was the report he had prepared. If doctor is not available then such report available in the Court record can be produced as secondary evidence through any person who had seen preparation of such document, knows handwriting or signature of the doctor on the report while showing a comparison with any proved document in the handwriting of such doctor, and this can also be done by production of another doctor or record keeper of the concerned hospital. This being so in the context of Article 78 of Qanun-a-Shahadat Order, 1984 which requires that ex*****on of a document must be proved through the mode and manner as suggested in law.
Thus, despite proof of ex*****on of a document by above means, truth of contents of document is to be proved. Neither the medicolegal or postmortem reports are the categories of documents as mentioned in Article 102 so as to dispense with a formal proof of its ex*****on nor in this case it was claimed to have been admitted by the parties so as to rule out necessity of formal proof.
Article 102 so as to dispense with a formal proof of its ex*****on nor in this case it was claimed to have been admitted by the parties so as to rule out necessity of formal proof.
Thus, mere production of postmortem report is not sufficient to be read in the evidence as a support to the prosecution case.
Opinion of doctor could only be deposed by the said doctor as per Article 71 of Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984 which says that oral evidence must, in all cases whatever be direct, that is to say, if it refers to an opinion or to the grounds on which that opinion is held, it must be the evidence of the person who holds that opinion on those grounds.
Corresponding to section 293 of Indian Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in ours section 510 exists but with slight difference, which is not applicable for medical reports. Mode of recording evidence of a doctor is mentioned in Section 509 of Cr.P.C. This Section falls in Chapter XLI which contains heading as “Special Rules of Evidence”, of course an overriding effect on all other provisions, consists of four Sections 509, 510, 511 and 512 of Cr.P.C. which with some connotation to cut short the process provides an expeditious mode of recording of evidence as well as securing the evidence for trial.
According to Section 509 of Cr.P.C., deposition of a medical witness taken and attested by a Magistrate in the presence of accused or taken on Commission may be given in evidence in an inquiry, trial or other proceedings under this Code without calling the medical witness, however, Court does have a power to summon the medical witness as and when thinks fit. This section has like connotation as that of Section 164 of Cr.P.C., which also ensures securing of evidence of a witness but unfortunately Section 509 Cr.P.C., has lost sight of legal practitioners and by the learned Courts, therefore, on the eve of death of a medical witness or his migration to other country, medical evidence falls short of probative value which cannot be brought on record properly or if it is brought on record its probative value decreases due to non-availability of medical witness to depose about the nature, locale, size of injuries and other observation made at the time of examination and test/protocols performed to arrive at an opinion with respect to cause of death or other matters which are also relevant as per Article 65 of Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984. Thus, this Section is must to be adhered by all the concerned in future and Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS) should attend to the provision for securing statement of medical witness at the earliest opportunity while producing him before the concerned Magistrate so that on the eve of non-availability of doctor such statement could be used during the trial before the Court concerned. Necessity and utility of Section 509 Cr.P.C., has also been highlighted in Rule 6, Chapter-18, High Court Rules & Orders, Volume III.
Before producing secondary evidence of medical reports, it is essential to prove the non-availability of doctor.

Mere abscondence of accused is not a conclusive proof of the guilt of the accused. The value of abscondence depends upon the fact of each case and abscondence alone cannot take the place of guilt unless and until the case is otherwise proved on the basis of cogent and reliable evidence. The accused persons generally disappear due to fear of police or because of the feelings of the guilt, and in this case during cross examination accused/appellants put the apprehension of their fake police encounter because son of the deceased was a police man; therefore,
Jail Appeal 82543/22
Allah Ditta etc. Vs The State
Mr. Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq
2024 LHC 1366
This judgment was pronounced on 18.03.2024 and after dictation and preparation it was signed on 08.04.2024

16/03/2024

"Very important citations on dismissal of a suit for specific performance"

Few Grounds for dismissal of a suit for specific performance

1. Handwriting expert reported that signature are forged. (2012 CLC 1699)
2. Two attested witnesses were not produced. (2006 CLC 571)
3. Agreement was written by unlicensed person. (2006 CLC 571)
4. Stamp paper was not issued by stamp vendor . (2012 MLD 535)
5. Dates of purchasing stamp paper and endorsement were different. (2011 YLR 404)
6. Purchaser of stamp paper was not produced as witness. (2011 MLD 404)
7. Stamp paper was issued on one date in favour of an unknown person and was executed on another date. (PLD 2008 Queta 01)
8. Payment of whole consideration was paid before ex*****on. (2006 YLR 2446)
9. Scribe was not a registered Waseeqa Navees. (2006 CLC 1444)
10. Register of scribe belongs to another person wherein various pages and serial number were missing. (2006 CLC 1444)
11. Contradiction as to vanue where bargain took place. (2006 CLC 1444)
12. Contradiction as to person who obtained stamp paper. (2006 CLC 1444)
13. Plaintiff failed to produce bank record as to payment of half money. 2006 MLD 886
14. Date, Time, Month and Place of transaction was not given in pleading or evidence. (2005 YLR 2655)
15. Number of N.I.C was different from number on agreement. (2002 CLC 942)
16. Land was situated at a place whereas stamp paper was purchased from another place. (2002 CLC 942)
17. Neither vendor of stamp paper nor scribe was produced. (2001 YLR 2145)
18. Agreement was scribed on plain paper and was written by unlicensed petition-writer whereas both were available as nearby place. ( 1996 MLD 562)
19. Stamp paper was purchased at one date and executed after one week, stamp paper neither showed name of stamp vendor nor the place from where it was purchased. (1992 CLC 2193)
20. Failure to deposit balance amount. (PLD 2002 Lah 88, 2012 CLC 1392)
21. Two marginal witnesses were not produced. (2013 YLR 903, 2009 SCMR 740)
22. Payment of consideration not proved.(2006 YLR 1039 )
23. Document was not put before witness. (2006 MLD 1622)
24. One witness was not produced without any reason/ explanation. (2006 MLD 1622)
25. Scribe admitted that alleged promisor was not present at the time of ex*****on neither he signed before him. (2006 MLD 1622)
26. Claim of plaintiff valuing 25 lac was based on a document which was not registered. (2011 CLC 309)
27. Agreement was signed twice. (2011 CLC 309)
28. Original agreement to sell not produced…loss of agreement not pleaded….no attempt was made to produce secondary evidence…plaintiff was not confronted with…Executant defendant was not identified by anyone. (2005 YLR 463)
29. National Identity Card number was not written. (2005 YLR 3163)
30. Lost of original document not proved. (1995 SCMR 1237)
31. It is doubtful that plaintiff paid whole consideration but did not insist for registered sale deed in his favour. (2006 YLR 2779)

07/03/2024

دعویٰ سامان جہیز ،ڈگری ہونے پر، طلائی زیورات کی قیمت، موجودہ مارکیٹ ویلیو کے حساب سے ہو گی۔
(2013 SCMR 1049).
صرف مدعیہ کے بیان پر بھی، دعویٰ سامان جہیز، ڈگری کیا جا سکتا ہے۔
(2012 MLD 756).
طلاق کے بعد، خاوند فیملی کورٹ میں، Bridal Gifts کی واپسی کے لیے، دعویٰ دلا پانے دائر کر سکتا ہے۔ کورٹ فیس قابل ادائیگی نہ ہے۔
(2014 CLC 87).
ڈگری سامان جہیز، ایک لاکھ روپے سے کم ہونے کی صورت میں بھی، بیوی اس کے خلاف اپیل کر سکتی ہے۔ فیملی ایکٹ دفعہ 14 (2) بار نہ ہے۔
(2018 SCMR 1885).
جہیز رسیدات کی کوئی اہمیت نہ ہے دعویٰ سامان جہیز ڈگری شد۔
(2013 CLC 698).

18/02/2024

اگر مزارع، مالک اراضی کی مرضی کے خلاف، زائد اراضی پر، غیر قانونی قبضہ کرے، تو مدعی سول کورٹ میں Mesne Profits کا دعویٰ کر سکتا ہے.
(2015 CLC 1667).
قابلِ تقسیم جائیداد میں ہر حصہ دار Mesne Profit کا حقدار ہو گا.
(PLD 2011 Kar 37).
دعویٰ زیرِ دفعہ 9 خصوصی داد رسی ایکٹ میں Mesne Profit کا مطالبہ نہ کیا جا سکتا ہے.
(2009 CLC 1388).
مشترکہ کھاتہ دار کو زبردستی بیدخل کرنے اور مشترکہ جائیداد میں اس کے حق سے انکار کی صورت میں مشترکہ کھاتہ دار Mesne Profit کا حقدار ہو گا.
(2003 MLD 1430).
غیر قانونی طور پر بیدخل کردہ شخص، اگر Damages اور Mesne Profit دونوں اکٹھے Claim کرے، تو اسے دعویٰ زیرِ دفعہ 8 خصوصی داد رسی ایکٹ دائر کرنا ہو گا.
(PLD 2002 Kar 511)

17/02/2024

لاہور ہائیکورٹ کے تین ججز پر مشتمل فل بنچ نے اس امر کا حتمی تعین کردیا ہے کہ خرچہ نان و نفقہ کی ڈگری کے قابل اپیل ہونے کا تعین فی کس خرچہ نان و نفقہ سے ہوگا نہ کہ مدعیان کے مجموعی خرچہ نان ونفقہ سے۔
ایک مقدمہ میں فیملی کورٹ اگر چار مدعیان کا خرچہ نان ونفقہ 4500 روپے ماہوار فی کس ڈگری کرتی ہے تو اس ڈگری کیخلاف اپیل دائر نہ ہوسکتی ہےخواہ مدعیان کامجموعی خرچہ نان ونفقہ 18000 روپے ماہوارکیوں نہ بنتا ہو
Question:
Whether a decree for maintenance granted for an amount less than Rs.5000/- per month to each of the plaintiffs is appealable under section 14(2)(c) of the Family Courts Act, 1964 by the judgment debtor if the aggregate amount of the decree is more than Rs.5000/- per month?

Answer:
In terms of section 14(2)(c) of the Act, a decree for maintenance granted for an amount less than Rs.5000/- per month to each of the plaintiffs is not appealable.
Syed Naeem Ali Adv
Writ Petition No.126306 of 2017
Muhammad Aslam Vs. Judge Family Court, Ferozewala, etc.
Announced in open Court on 13.02.2024

⚖️ راجہ محمد عمر اشرف کیانی ایڈووکیٹ ہائیکورٹ ⚖️
⚖️U&M Advocates Associates and Legal Services⚖️

11/12/2023

عدالت نے خاوند کو بیوی کا سامان جہیز واپس کرنے کا حکم دیا۔اور اسکی مالیت 8لاکھ 31 ہزار 7 سو روپے مقرر کی۔خاوند نے 12 سال تک نہ سامان جہیز اور نہ ہی رقم واپس کی۔کیس سپریم کورٹ تک آیا۔سپریم کورٹ نے قرار دیا کہ خاتون کو اسکےزیورات اور سامان جہیز میں شامل چیزوں کے آج کے ریٹ کے حساب سے پیسے دیے جائیں۔8 کے بجائے خاوند کو ڈبل دینا پڑا۔
2017 SCMR 321.

26/11/2023

نکاح نامہ کیا ہے؟

‏قانونی اعتبار سے نکاح نامہ ایک معاہدہ ہے جس میں دو فریق اکھٹے زندگی گزارنے کے لیے مختلف شرائط طے کرتے ہیں۔
‏'عام طور پر شادی کے موقعے پر نکاح نامے کو اتنے غور سے نہیں پڑھا جاتا اور نہ ہی تفصیلات طے کی جاتیں ہیں۔ جن کی شادی ہو رہی ہوتی ہے وہ تو نکاح نامے کو دیکھتے بھی نہیں ہیں۔ کبھی گھر کے بڑے اور کبھی نکاح خواں ہی نکاح نامہ پُر کر دیتے ہیں۔'

‏نکاح نامہ غور سے پڑھنا کیوں ضرور ی ہے؟

‏ضروری ہے کہ نکاح سے پہلے لڑکا اور لڑکی نکاح نامے کو دھیان سے پڑھیں تاکہ انھیں پتا ہو کہ ان کے ازدواجی حقوق کیا ہیں اور ان کا تحفظ کس طرح کیا جا سکتا ہے۔
‏نکاح خواں کا کام صرف یہ ہے کہ وہ نکاح پڑھائے اور پھر اس کی رجسٹریشن کروائے-
‏یہ ایک بہت مثبت سوچ ہے کہ شادی سے پہلے لڑکا اور لڑکی دونوں مل کر نکاح نامہ پُر کریں۔ اگر آپ اپنے ہونے والے ہم سفر سے نکاح سے پہلے ہی شادی کی شرائط طے کر لیں تو اس میں کوئی حرج نہیں۔
‏نکاح نامے میں 25 شقیں ہیں
‏مروجّہ نکاح نامے کی 1 سے 12 نمبر شقیں سادہ اور آسان ہیں جن میں دولھا اور دلھن کے کوائف، شادی انجام پانے کی تاریخ اور وکیلوں اور گواہان کی تفصیلات لکھی جاتی ہیں۔23 سے 25 نمبر شقیں بھی عام ہیں جن میں نکاح خواں کے کوائف اور شادی رجسٹر کرانے کی تاریخ درج ہوتی ہے۔
‏لیکن شق نمبر 13 سے 22 انتہائی اہم ہیں جن پر بالخصوص توجہ دینے کی ضرورت ہے
‏مہر بیوی کا حق ہے-
‏نکاح نامے کی شقیں 13 سے 17 مہر سے متعلق ہیں۔ مہر وہ رقم یا اس کا متبادل ہے جو شادی کے موقع پر شوہر بیوی کو ادا کرتا ہے۔ مہر دو قسم کا ہوتا ہے، ایک 'معجل' اور دوسرا 'مؤجل'۔
‏مہر معجل نکاح کے وقت یا بیوی کے مطالبے پر فوری ادا کرنا ہوتا ہے جبکہ مہر مؤجل کسی معیّنہ تاریخ یا واقعے کے رونما ہونے پر ادا کرنا ہوتا ہے۔
‏مہر مؤجل کی صورت میں مہر کی ادائیگی کی شرائط نکاح نامے میں درج کرنا ضروری ہے۔

‏بیوی بھی طلاق دے سکتی ہے
‏نکاح نامے کی شق 18 میں پوچھا جاتا ہے کہ آیا شوہرنے طلاق کا حق بیوی کو دے دیا ہے؟
‏میں نے دیکھا ہے کہ اچھے پڑھے لکھے
‏خاندانوں میں حق مہر کی تفصیلات پر تو کافی سنجیدہ مذاکرات ہوتے ہیں لیکن لڑکی کے حقِ طلاق جیسے اہم موضوع پر کوئی بات نہیں ہوتی۔
‏ طلاق کے موضوع پر بات کرنا آج بھی ہمارے معاشرے میں نامناسب سمجھا جاتا ہے۔
‏طلاق کا فیصلہ والدین کے لیے بہت بڑا صدمہ ہو تا ہے لیکن جب انھیں اندازہ ہوتا ہے کہ ان کی بیٹی اپنے شوہر کے ہاتھوں میں کن تکالیف سے گزری ساتھ دیا۔ حق طلاق کا فائدہ یہ ہوتا ہے کہ طلاق کے لیے شوہر کے پیروں میں نہیں پڑنا پڑتا۔
‏اگر بیوی کے پاس حقِ طلاق نہیں ہو تو اُس کے پاس خلع یعنی عدالت کے ذریعے شادی ختم کرنے کے علاوہ کوئی دوسرا راستہ نہیں۔
‏جب لڑکی خلع کے لیے درخواست دیتی ہے تو وہ اپنے مہر کے حق سے دستبردار ہو جاتی ہے۔ اس طرح اسے ایک تو عدالت جانا پڑتا ہے اور دوسرا وہ اپنے مہر کی رقم سے محروم ہوےُ بغیر تین ماہ میں یہ عمل مکمل ہو جاتا ہے-
‏لڑکی کے حقِ طلاق کی صورت میں یونین کونسل میں طلاق کے لیے رجسٹریشن کروائی جاتی ہے جس کے بعد عدالت جائے بغیر طلاق بھی ہو جاتی ہے اور لڑکی کو اس کا حق مہر بھی ملتا ہے۔
‏ لڑکی کا حقِ طلاق مشروط یا غیر مشروط ہو سکتا ہے لیکن میرا یہی مشورہ ہے کہ اُسے اپنا حقِ طلاق غیر مشروط رکھنا چاہیے۔

‏شوہر کا مشروط حقِ طلاق
‏نکاح نامے کی شق 19 کے مطابق بیوی شوہر کے حقِ طلاق پر شرائط عائد کر سکتی ہے۔
‏دیکھا گیا ہے کہ طلاق کے اکثر مقدمات میں لڑکیوں کے مالی مفادات کا تحفظ نہیں ہوتا۔ اس شق کے ذریعے بیوی پابندی لگا سکتی ہے کہ شوہر کے طلاق دینے کی صورت میں اُسے نان نفقہ یا دیگر اخراجات کے لیے معاوضہ دیا جائے گا۔

‏کوئی بھی شرط نکاح نامے کا حصہ بن سکتی ہے؟
‏نکاح نامے کی شق 20 کہتی ہے کہ اگر شادی کے موقع پر مہر و نان نفقہ سے متعلق کوئی دستاویز تیار کی گئی ہے تو اس کی تفصیلات درج کی جائیں۔
‏ اس شق کے ذریعے میاں بیوی کے درمیان طے پانے والے اضافی نکات کا اندراج کیا جا سکتا ہے۔
‏مثلاً بیوی کہہ سکتی ہے کہ جائیداد اس کے نام کی جائے یا شوہر کی ماہانہ آمدنی کی ایک مقررہ شرح مخصوص مدّت تک بیوی کو ادا کی جائے۔
‏اس شِق کے علاوہ میاں بیوی کے درمیان طے پانے والی کوئی بھی شرط ضمیمے کے طور پر نکاح نامے کا حصہ بنائی جا سکتی ہے۔

‏دوسری شادی کی اجازت
‏نکاح نامے کی شق 21 اور 22 مطالبہ کرتی ہیں کہ شوہر کی دوسری شادی کی صورت میں ثالثی کونسل سے اجازت حاصل کی جائے۔
‏عام طور پر دوسری شادی کے موقع پر پہلی بیوی سے اجازت نہیں لی جاتی۔ یہ کام چُھپ چُھپا کے ہی ہوتا ہے۔'
‏ شوہر کی دوسری شادی کے لیے پہلی بیوی کی تحریری اجازت تو ضروری ہے ہی، لیکن صرف یہ کافی نہیں۔
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09/11/2023

2023 MLD 525

ہتک عزت (Defamation) پر لاہور ہائیکورٹ کا نہایت معلوماتی فیصلہ
It is settled principle of law that defamation is the publication of a statement which reflects on a person’s reputation and tends to lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society generally or tends to make them shun or avoid him. Defamation accordingly takes the forum of two separate torts i.e. libel and slander. There is no cavil to the proposition that libel is actionable per se and injury to reputation will be presumed. However, whether the case is one of libel or slander, the following elements must be proved by the claimant:-
a. the imputation must be defamatory;
b. it must identify or refer to the claimant;
c. it must be published/communicated to at least one person other than the claimant.
Defamation is defined under Section 03 of the Ordinance, 2002.

The main ingredient constituting defamation is publication of defamatory statement in widely circulated newspaper or spoken in a large gathering. For constituting defamation:-

(a) The allegations levelled against the plaintiff should be false, baseless and unfounded
(b) The wordings used and the allegations levelled, in on the face of it, should have been defamatory derogatory nature;
(c) Such allegations should have been published in widely circulated newspapers or spoken in a large gathering;
(d) The said publications made or wordings used should have been with malice without any reasonable cause and justification;
(e) The allegations should have been directly attributed to the plaintiff by specifically mentioning his name;

Publication of defamatory matter is an actionable wrong without proof of special damage to the person defamed and where defamation is proved, damage shall be presumed as defined in section 04 of the Ordinance, 2002.

The defences available to the appellants provided in section 05 of the Ordinance, 2002, as under: In defamation proceedings a person has a defence if he shows that–
a) he was not the author, editor, publisher or printer of the statement complained of;
b) the matter commented on is fair and in the public interest and is an expression of opinion and not an assertion of fact and was published in good faith;
c) it is based on truth and was made for the public good;
d) assent was given for the publication by the plaintiff;
e) offer to tender a proper apology and publish the same was made by the defendant but was refused by the plaintiff;
f) an offer to print or publish a contradiction or denial in the same manner and with the same prominence was made but was refused by the plaintiff;
g) the matter complained of was privileged communication such as between lawyer and client or between persons having fiduciary relations; and
h) the matter is converted by absolute or qualified privilege.

It app ears that damages are defined under three headings; 1) compensatory, 2) general & 3) aggravated. Compensatory damages themselves can be divided into general and special. If plaintiff, who wins a defamation action is entitled to an award of general damages, compensating him for the injury to his reputation and feelings by being proportionate to the damage which the plaintiff has suffered and nothing greater than what is necessary to provide adequate compensation and to reestablish his reputation. Now the qu estion arises is to weigh the quantum of damages for such loss caused to him by such wrongful act. General damages normally pertain to mental torture and agony sustained through derogatory/defamatory statement. Since, there is no yardstick to gage such dam ages in monitory terms, therefore, while assessing damages on account of such inconvenience, the Courts apply a rule of thumb by exercising its inherent jurisdiction for granting general damages on a case to case basis, whereas, special damages are defined as the actual but not necessarily the result of the injury complained of. While awarding special damages, it is to be kept in mind that the person claiming special damages has to prove each item of loss with reference to the evidence brought on record. Th is may also include out of pocket expenses and loss of earnings incurred down to the date of trial and is generally capable of substantially exact calculation. The burden in such situation, like in all cases, is on the shoulder of the plaintiff to prove th e magnitude of such suffering.

The defamation of any person or citizen through spoken or written words or any other means of communication lowers the dignity of a man fully guaranteed by the Constitution, if anyone commits an act of malice by defaming any person, would be guilty under the Constitution. No one can plead the unbridled right of expression. Who would cross the red line of prohibition imposed by the Constitution, attracting serious penal consequences under the law and the person violating the same has to be dealt with under the law.

⚖ راجہ محمد عمر اشرف کیانی ایڈووکیٹ ہائیکورٹ ⚖
⚖ U&M Advocates Associates &Legal services ⚖

07/11/2023

PLD 2023 Lahore 694
PLJ 2023 Lahore 840

There are five kinds of writs under Article 199 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, i.e.:

1. Writ of Mandamus [Clause (1)(a)(i)],

2. Prohibition [Clause (1)(a)(i)],

3. Certiorari [Clause (1)(a)(ii)],

4. Habeas Corpus [Clause (1)(b)(i)] and

5. Quo Warranto [Clause (1)(b)(ii)]

Meaning of the writ of Mandamus.
Article 199(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution empowers this Court to issue direction to the authorities working within its territorial jurisdiction who have failed to decide any pending matter and thus have not performed their duties as required by law. Therefore, with this expectation, this Court can (and must) issue direction to every functionary to do the needful provided that this is done in accordance with law as it is their duty to act fairly, justly and reasonably in the discharge of the said duties.

Whether a direction issued by the High Court to any Authority for taking decision on allegedly pending/undecided application of any applicant empowers him to decide it against law or by overlooking the relevant facts and law’. It was his foremost duty rather legal obligation to consider all aspects of the case, which were to be complied with by that Authority in letter and spirit after hearing all the parties. And in that eventuality, the Authority to whom a direction is issued by this Court is under obligation not only to receive all the relevant documents from both the parties but also by applying a judicious mind to decide it. Had it been decided after receiving all the relevant documents by the Authority, the position would have been different. However, the aggrieved party still retains right to challenge that order before an appropriate forum. Further, if an authority makes an incorrect decision, it does not create any right in favour of any party to approach this Court to ask for recalling/setting-aside the order of mandamus, as that concerns only the decision of the pending application which was to be decided in accordance with law. The direction of this Court was only to take a decision on the undecided/unattended application in accordance with law. It should have been decided by the Authority after considering all the facts and circumstances of the case, relevant laws and affording proper opportunity of hearing to both the parties. If any illegality has been committed by the Authority while deciding the application by not giving due weight to the documentary evidence produced by the applicants, in such eventuality, the said order is liable to be challenged on the same grounds before an appropriate forum. Concealment of facts may be a good ground to challenge the validity of the order but it cannot be considered a ground for setting-aside the order passed by this Court.

In case, if this Court is issued direction for disposal of alleged pending application, however, in the event, that had already been decided, then informing to the petitioner by sending its earlier order regarding his application, would be enough to the compliance of the order/direction of this Court because this direction did not provide another life to that application if it had already been disposed of/decided by that Authority.

Another impression also seen to be taken by the Authority where alleged application had been filed that the decision must be in favour of the applicant as was the case in this instance. It was never the intention of this Court while issuing direction to decide it in favour of the applicant but the only purpose of direction was to point-out to that Authority to perform its duty as required by law. This order was never issued to favour any of the parties. It only demands a resolution of the pending issue within the parameters of law.

Another aspect is also noticed by this Court, sometime, inadvertently or mistakenly, the applicant files the application before an incompetent Authority, meaning an authority out of whose domain lies decision making powers on the said issue. However, upon receiving the direction from this Court that Authority assumes jurisdiction merely on the ground that it had been directed by this Court, which is wrong. It is the duty of any such Authority upon receiving any such direction from this Court to first decide its/his competency about decision making powers regarding the concerned matter and on the basis of that either return application or forward the same to the concerned competent Authority for its decision along with a copy of order of this Court. However, it must be stressed that assumption of jurisdiction on the basis of this Court’s direction does not make any such incompetent authority’s order in accordance with law even if such a decision arises under misconception that jurisdiction was assumed under direction of this Court.

⚖ راجہ محمد عمر اشرف کیانی ایڈووکیٹ ہائیکورٹ ⚖
⚖ U&M Advocates Associates & Legal services ⚖

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