Law: Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898)

Section: 160, 403

Law: General Clauses Act (X of 1897)

Section: 26

Law: Constitution of Pakistan

Section: 4, 9, 13, 14

Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898) Ss. 160 & 403--- General Clauses Act (X of 1897), S. 26--- Constitution of Pakistan, Arts. 4, 9, 13 & 14--- Constitutional petition--- Notice, quashing of--- Double jeopardy, principle of--- Applicability--- Petitioner was aggrieved of notice under S.160, Cr.P.C., issued by authorities to join inquiry proceedings in the matter which had already been decided by a Court of competent jurisdiction---Validity---Notice issued under S.160, Cr.P.C. without disclosing any precise allegation or supporting documentation, only underscores arbitrary and flawed nature of proceedings---Law requires an investigation agency to act on the basis of some credible information or material--- Mere suspicion or reference in a general report cannot be a substitute for legally admissible and probative evidence---In absence of such material, continuation of inquiry served no purpose other than to cause mental anguish, reputational injury and financial hardship to petitioner--- Repeated and unjustified initiation of proceedings against petitioner, particularly in absence of new material, not only infringed upon his fundamental right to fair treatment under the law but also violated fundamental rights guaranteed under Arts. 4, 9 & 14 of the Constitution--- Petitioner had already been tried and acquitted on the same set of facts and any subsequent prosecution on identical grounds was barred by Constitutional safeguard under doctrine of double jeopardy--- Initiation of fresh proceedings in absence of any new material evidence had violated the Constitutional fundamental rights guaranteed under Art.13 (a) of the Constitution read with S.403, Cr.P.C. and S.26 of General Clauses Act, 1897--- High Court declared inquiry in question as without lawful authority based on a defective inquiry / investigation and of no legal effect--- High Court quashed notice under S.160, Cr.P.C. issued to petitioner by authorities--- Constitutional petition was allowed in circumstances.        Date of hearing: 6th October, 2025.                                …