ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the prosecution and other respondents regarding the bail applications filed by human rights activists Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch and Bebarg Baloch, and adjourned the hearing sine die.
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. Lawyer Jibran Nasir informed the bench that each of his three clients faced a separate FIR.
Judge Mazhar then asked questions about the nature of the allegations and the progress made in the trial.
Counsel argued that in Dr Mahrang’s case, the statements of two of the six prosecution witnesses had already been recorded. He further submitted that all the offenses mentioned in the FIR were bailable.
Justice Mazhar, however, ordered the lawyer to read out the FIR and questioned how the offenses could be considered bailable. The lawyer responded that offenses carrying a maximum sentence of three years or less can be released on bail under the law.
He argued that all the offenses charged against Dr Mahrang carried a maximum sentence of less than three years.
