Natasha Bail Application Rejected In Car Accident, Drug Case

On Wednesday, Natasha Bail Application Rejected sessions court decided to delay its ruling on the bail application of a woman involved in a recent Karsaz accident, who is now facing drug-related charges. She sought bail from the sessions court after her initial application was turned down by a judicial magistrate. The charges relate to a case filed under Section 11 of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order (PEHO) of 1979, following a medical report indicating she was under the influence of methamphetamine—commonly known as ice or crystal meth—during the August 19 accident that led to two deaths and two injuries.

Last week, the court granted her bail in the accident case after the victims’ legal heirs submitted affidavits pardoning her and expressing no objections to her release.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Additional Sessions Judge Shahid Ali Memon decided to reserve his judgment, with a ruling scheduled for September 13.

The defense attorney contended that the charge is bailable, carrying a maximum penalty of either one year in prison or a fine of Rs5,000. He highlighted that the case relied on the opinion of a DSP legal, who overlooked the fact that the 2022 amendments to the anti-narcotics legislation had criminalized the possession of methamphetamine but did not address its consumption. The defense also highlighted inconsistencies in the handling of the suspect’s blood and urine samples, noting a delay in sending them for testing which, he argued, compromised the chain of custody.

Furthermore, the defense claimed that the investigating officer unlawfully collected additional blood samples from the jail after the magistrate had denied a request for them, suggesting an attempt to manipulate the chemical examiner’s report.

Defense Argued

The defense argued that the drug case was filed with malicious intent and requested bail but Natasha Bail Application Rejected by court.

On the other hand, the state prosecutor opposed bail, arguing that the investigation is ongoing and the final charge sheet has not yet been submitted. He also expressed concerns that, as a British national with a UK driving license, the suspect might flee the country if granted bail.

Earlier on Monday, Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Raza Ansari had rejected the woman’s bail application, stating that her lawyer failed to prove that Section 11 of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Ordinance, 1979, was inapplicable. He noted that PEHO covers not only alcohol but other intoxicating substances as well.