Court says domestic dispute and medical evidence require deeper examination as accused secures release against Rs200,000 surety
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted post-arrest bail to a PhD-holding woman accused of physically assaulting her husband, a member of the security forces, following a prolonged matrimonial dispute.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the detailed verdict on Monday and ordered the release of Amna Saeed against surety bonds worth Rs200,000. She had remained detained at Adiala Jail after lower courts rejected her earlier bail applications.
According to the court order, Saeed and her husband had remained married for approximately 20 to 25 years. The case arose from allegations of repeated domestic violence at their residence in Naval Anchorage, Islamabad.
Husband Alleges Repeated Assaults
The complainant alleged that Saeed repeatedly assaulted him and their daughters. He claimed she previously injured his right eye but said he remained silent to protect his family and professional reputation.
Furthermore, he accused Saeed of attacking him with an iron rod on January 15 and May 31, resulting in hospital treatment.
The FIR also alleged that on July 4, Saeed struck her husband on his chest, back and legs and injured their daughters when they attempted to intervene.
However, the defence described the episode as a domestic dispute and argued that the allegations required further examination.
Court Cites Medical Evidence, Supreme Court Precedent
The IHC observed that CCTV footage prima facie showed Saeed herself taking her husband to hospital following the incident.
Moreover, medical records documented multiple bruises but did not clearly identify any injury as life-threatening. The available evidence also failed to clearly establish which injured person had suffered a fracture accompanied by dislocation.
The court additionally cited a Supreme Court ruling describing provisions facilitating bail for women and other vulnerable accused as welfare legislation.
Consequently, after examining the circumstances and available evidence, the IHC accepted Saeed’s post-arrest bail petition and ordered her release subject to submission of the required surety bonds.
