Suspects in TikToker abuse case sent to jail

Accused claim they were wrongly implicated after case resurfaced on social media

RAWALPINDI:

Civil Judge Sofia Malik has rejected requests for physical remand and discharge of two suspects re-arrested in the case of a TikToker, whose hair was allegedly cut due to a business dispute.

The court sent both accused to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand and ordered their production again on December 18.

The court also admitted their bail petitions for hearing and issued notices to the SHO of Naseerabad Police Station, directing him to present the complete case record and investigation report on Saturday, December 6.

Police had earlier announced the arrest of five suspects in the case but released all of them four days later. After The Express Tribune reported the release, police re-arrested Muhammad Anees alias Duranni and Abdul Jaleel alias Mithu two days ago.

The suspects told the court they had no role in cutting anyone's hair and were arrested merely due to their friendship with the actual accused.

They alleged police bought a pair of scissors for Rs250 from a market and falsely linked it to them after the case appeared in media.

Abdul Jaleel's father, Sher Dil, said a case was originally registered in Lohi Bher Police Station in September, which was settled through a compromise between the parties.

He claimed police ignored the actual suspect and instead arrested his son after a video resurfaced on social media. He also alleged that the complainant is not even party to the current case and that police appointed a government official as complainant.

Defence lawyer Malik Waqas Advocate argued that the charges are bailable and the arrested men have no connection with the alleged offence, adding that the woman involved has already distanced herself from the case.