Bail granted in blasphemy case
PHOTO: FILE
Lahore High Court’s Justice Shehram Sarwar on Wednesday granted bail to Tehreek-i-Labaik leader Dr Asif Ashraf Jalali in a case of hate speech and blasphemy.
The complainant’s counsel implored the court that he could establish that the accused had committed blasphemy during his speech, which hurt sentiments of Muslims. However, his request for time for preparation of arguments was turned down.
The petitioner’s counsel denied the charges. He said his client was innocent and had been implicated in a false case. Strict security arrangements were made at the LHC to avoid any untoward incident during the hearing.
Samnabad police had registered an FIR against the cleric on June 18 under section 298-A (use of derogatory remarks in respect of holy personages) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2020.