SC seeks replies on Mahrang bail plea

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the prosecution and other respondents on the bail petitions filed by rights activists Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch and Bebarg Baloch, and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the petitions.

During the hearing, Justice Mazhar asked whether separate FIRs had been registered against the three petitioners. Counsel Jibran Nasir informed the bench that each of his three clients faced a separate FIR.

Justice Mazhar then asked about the nature of the allegations and the progress made in the trial.

The counsel submitted that in Dr Mahrang's case, statements of two out of six prosecution witnesses had already been recorded. He further argued that all offences mentioned in the FIR were bailable.

Justice Mazhar, however, directed the counsel to read out the FIR and questioned how the offences could be considered bailable. The counsel responded that offences carrying a maximum punishment of three years or less are bailable under the law.

He maintained that all offences alleged against Dr Mahrang carried a maximum sentence of less than three years.