Lahore High Court has dismissed the bail application of an accused involved in the transportation of 2,400 litres of adulterated milk, observing that those engaged in the production and supply of fake, synthetic and substandard milk do not deserve any leniency.

Justice Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh issued a detailed six-page judgment while rejecting the bail plea of the accused Muhammad Younis. The court held that the facts of the present case present a “horrifying picture” and warrant strict treatment.

In its verdict, the court observed that milk is widely consumed as a complete food or complete drink and plays a vital role in bone development, reducing the risk of bone fractures. The judgment emphasised that synthetic milk, often described as “sweet poison,” is not milk at all but an artificial imitation of natural milk.

The court noted that to increase quantity, milk is subjected to extreme levels of adulteration. Although synthetic milk may not prove immediately fatal, it gradually turns the human body into a breeding ground for diseases.

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According to the court, investigations have shown that the consumption of artificial milk causes severe harm to human health.

The judgment further stated that synthetic milk is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, children, and patients suffering from heart diseases.

The court acknowledged that the maximum punishment in the present case is five years’ imprisonment and that, generally, bail is granted in such cases. However, the court referred to multiple Supreme Court judgments which establish that bail is not mandatory in every case.

Each case, the court said, must be assessed on the basis of its own facts and circumstances.

The court clarified that in the presence of extraordinary circumstances, bail can be refused even in cases where the offence is ordinarily considered bailable. Reiterating its strong stance, the court held that those involved in the preparation and transportation of fake, synthetic, and substandard milk are not entitled to any concession.

The court ultimately ordered the dismissal of the accused’s bail application.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that the accused was not involved in the preparation of adulterated milk and that his case did not fall within the scope of the Punjab Food Authority Act.

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The lawyer further contended that the remaining charges against the accused were bailable offences.

However, the court observed that the accused was caught transporting artificial milk from one place to another through a vehicle/tanker. The court held that the act of transporting adulterated milk squarely falls under the Punjab Food Authority Act.

The judgment noted that a case under the Food Authority Act had been registered against Muhammad Younis at Kot Radha Kishan police station. It was also pointed out that both the judicial magistrate and the sessions court had earlier dismissed the accused’s bail applications.

Upholding those decisions, the Lahore High Court maintained that no ground for bail was made out in the present case.