ATC denies bails to 197 accused in May 9 vandalism
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan throw stones after police fire tear gas to disperse them in Lahore on May 9, 2023.—File photo
Anti-Terrorism Court judge dismissed post arrest bails of 197 accused persons allegedly involved in arson, creating law and order, attacking Corps Commander House following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
However, the ATC Judge also accepted post-arrest bails of 33 accused against furnishing Rs1,00,000 surety bonds each.
The judge was announced the decision which in earlier proceeding had been reserved on post arrest bails of 230 accused including several women.
After hearing the detailed arguments the judge had reserved the decision. The petitioner’s counsels argued that the accused persons have nothing to do with this case adding they had been implicated in forged case merely to humiliate them.
They contended that no specific role had been attributed to the accused persons and the accused had been implicated relying upon the doubts and fake information spread against them.
On the other hand, the law officers strongly opposed the bail petitions contending the accused were present at the venue and they had been involved in inciting the crowd and public against the institutions. They contended that their call record revels their presence at the venue and they committed offence by attacking Jinnah House.
The judge had reserved decision after hearing detailed arguments. On Thursday, the judge dismissed post arrest bails of 197 accused including Khadija Shah, Alia Hamza, Sanam Javed, Tayaba Raja and others. The judge also allowed post arrest bails of accused Ayesha Masood, Faiza Azmat, Farhat Farooq and others.
Other cases
The ATC judge also dismissed post arrest bails of 23 accused persons in setting ablaze to the police vans and several other accused from another attacking Askari Tower case.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2023.