The Supreme Court issued notices to the Punjab government on Friday while hearing bail applications from individuals accused of vandalizing state and army properties following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
A three-member bench, led by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and comprising Justice Mussarat Hilali and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, also summoned records of the case.
During the proceedings, Justice Mandokhail inquired about the extent of damage caused to properties by the accused, whether weapons were recovered from them, and how many charges were pressed against them.
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The lawyer for the accused responded that they were charged under almost all sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). When Justice Mandokhail asked if they were also charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, the lawyer affirmed.
Justice Hilali remarked that the incident occurred on May 9, but the FIR was lodged on May 10. The lawyer for the accused claimed that the alleged rioters were not affiliated with any political party but were shopkeepers.
Justice Rizvi observed that the accused were identified through CCTV footage.
The lawyer for the accused requested the court to procure the complete record of the case after issuing a notice. The court accepted the request and adjourned the proceedings for an indefinite period.
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