Private Prosecution in Pakistan: Analysis of the Nur Elahi case and its implications for Public Prosecution
Keywords:
Public Prosecution, Private Complaint, Nur Elahi v the State, Criminal Trial Procedure.Abstract
The traditional system of public prosecution, where the state assumes responsibility for criminal charges, has faced challenges in recent years due to the emergence of private prosecution. The case of Nur Elahi v the State paved the way for private prosecution alongside public prosecution in the administration of criminal justice system of Pakistan. Whereas the doctrine of public prosecution holds fundamental importance in the administration of criminal justice system, the decision in Nur Elahi v the State introduced exceptions to this rule by allowing private individuals to prosecute criminal cases through private complaints along with public prosecution. This significant change has weakened the doctrine of public prosecution, making it more arduous for both the state and private individuals to bring offenders to justice. It is also pertinent to note that the judiciary, not the legislature, made the decision in Nur Elahi v the State, which caused uncertainty about the laws for public and private prosecution in Pakistan. Therefore, a thorough examination of the ratio decidendi and the legal reasoning in Nur Elahi v the State is necessary to deal with complications arising from the addition of private prosecution to the public prosecution in criminal justice system of Pakistan. This research aims to provide clarity and guidance for all stakeholders involved in improving criminal prosecutions by clarifying and reassessing the legal framework for private complaints.
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