Malik Adnan to become witness in Sialkot lynching case

Adnan had tried to save life of Priyantha Kumara brutally killed by mob over blasphemy allegations

Malik Adnan, a factory manager who tried to save the life of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara, will be added to the list of witnesses by the prosecution in the Sialkot lynching case.

Kumara was brutally killed by a mob in Sialkot earlier this month on allegations of blasphemy. The mob had set his body on fire after the murder. So far, over 100 people have been arrested by the police in connection with the murder.

Sources said Adnan, whose bravery was also praised by the premier, will be a key prosecution witness, adding that the challan in the case will be submitted in the first week of January.

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The challan will also include videos and important documents, they said, adding that the trial in the case will start next month.

Last week, the Punjab government decided to hold the trial of the accused in the Sialkot lynching case within the premises of the prison. The decision to hold the trial inside the prison was taken after a meeting was held between the prosecution team and the provincial government.

Subsequently, the prosecution had asked the jail administration to make the necessary arrangements to conduct the trial, while the police had been directed to complete the necessary legal procedures and submit the completed challans to the court as soon as possible.