LHC Rules on Sugar Miller FIR Procedure

Lahore, August 24, 2025, 09:40 PM PKT — The Lahore High Court (LHC) has delivered a landmark ruling, declaring that an FIR against a sugar miller cannot stem from a private individual’s complaint, including a grower, mandating a formal report from the Cane Commissioner, Additional Cane Commissioner, or nominee under Section 21 of the Sugar Factories (Control) Act, as per the judgment on a petition by factory manager Azhar Fazal. The court overturned an ex-officio justice of peace order for an FIR over harassment and threat charges, citing statutory oversight, but upheld charges under Sections 342 and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), directing the justice of peace to record the respondent’s statement and proceed legally.

The dispute arose when the respondent, unpaid for sugarcane supplied to Fazal’s factory despite repeated demands, faced ridicule, detention at gunpoint, and threats from Fazal and associates during a witnessed meeting with the general manager. The LHC noted the deputy commissioner’s report to the justice of peace lacked statutory weight under Section 21(b) to establish factory occupier liability, stressing prosecution under the Act must target only the liable, not all mill associates. Web context on sugar disputes shows recurrent tensions, while posts found on X reflect mixed views—some support legal clarity, others question enforcement. Critically, the narrative of “judicial precision” may mask industry loopholes—web data hints at past evasions, and X sentiment suggests distrust in fair resolution, pointing to potential challenges.