Legal Case Summary

Case Details
Case ID ee77d675-852c-4cfb-b84c-f0c88df5291b
Body View case body.
Case Number Criminal Appeal No. 1 of 1977
Decision Date Jun 07, 1981
Hearing Date
Decision The Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the conviction and sentence of the appellants for contempt of court. Agha Rashid Ahmad, the Tehsildar, was sentenced to simple imprisonment until the rising of the court and a fine of Rs. 2,000 or in default, one month’s simple imprisonment. Bashir Ahmad was sentenced to one month of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2,000 or in default, one month’s simple imprisonment. The court found that the appellants knowingly acted in defiance of the High Court's order to maintain the status quo, thereby committing contempt of court. The decision stressed the importance of adhering to court orders and the consequences of willful non-compliance.
Summary In the case of Agha Rashid Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad vs. The State, the Supreme Court of Pakistan addressed the issue of contempt of court following a violation of a High Court order to maintain the status quo regarding property possession. The case arose from a writ petition filed by Qadeer Ahmad challenging the orders of the Settlement Commissioner. The High Court had issued a stay order, but the Tehsildar and Bashir Ahmad proceeded to deliver possession, leading to their conviction. The court emphasized the critical need for compliance with judicial directives to uphold the integrity of the legal system. The ruling serves as a reminder of the repercussions of contempt and the necessity for public officials to act within the bounds of the law. The decision also highlights the roles of advocates and the significance of their actions in legal proceedings.
Court Supreme Court of Pakistan
Entities Involved Tehsildar, Pakpattan, District Sahiwal
Judges KARAM ELAHEE CHAUHAN, SHAH NAWAZ KHAN
Lawyers Hassan Ahmad Khan Kanwar, Ch. Akhtar Ali, M. Bilal, Ijaz Ali
Petitioners Bashir Ahmad, Agha Rashid Ahmad
Respondents THE STATE
Citations 1982 SLD 358, 1982 SCMR 507
Other Citations Ahmad Shah v. State P L D 1967 S C 42, Hussain Bakhsh v. Settlement Commissioner P L D 1970 S C 1, Muhammad Samiullah Khan and another v. The State P L D 1963 S C 237
Laws Involved Contempt of Court Act (LXIII of 1976), Constitution of Pakistan (1973)
Sections 3, 185 (2) (c)