TikToker abuse suspects secure bail

A local court on Saturday approved the bail application of the accused arrested in the case concerning the cutting of TikToker Iman Tahir's hair.

The court ordered the release of the accused, Abdul Jaleel alias Mithu, upon the submission of bail bonds amounting to Rs50,000 each. After the surety bonds were furnished, the accused was released from Adiala Jail.

Civil Judge Sofia Malik also granted interim bail to the female accused, Sana Bibi, who was nominated in the case, while issuing notice to the police regarding the bail petition of the second accused, Anis alias Durrani.

Following the approval of these bail orders, the Naseerabad Police have also ceased attempts to arrest the remaining principal suspects—namely, the man and the woman alleged to have cut the victim's hair.

Meanwhile, TikToker Iman Tahir has declined to appear before the police, stating that the matter pertained to Loi Bhair Police Station in Islamabad, where it had already been settled on September 25 through a reconciliation agreement.

She added that Rawalpindi Police should stop harassing her without reason, as she neither lodged the complaint nor is she the complainant, nor does she support or wish to pursue the police case.

Civil Judge Sofia Malik, in delivering her decision granting bail, observed that no evidence existed against the accused; the FIR had been lodged with a two-day delay; the alleged victim was absent; and she had not filed the complaint. The judge further noted that the statement of the supposed victim, Iman Tahir, was not found anywhere in the case record.

Defence counsel Malik Waqas argued that the accused, currently in custody, had no connection whatsoever with the incident. Neither did they cut the victim's hair, nor were they present at the scene. They were merely friends of another accused, and arresting them solely on grounds of association was unlawful.

He contended that the matter had already been concluded and questioned why and on what basis the police had assumed the role of complainant. Waqas further submitted that the police had no legitimate interest in pursuing a case in which the alleged victim had provided no statement. "Cases cannot be built on hearsay and verbal claims without evidence," he said.

The investigating officer was unable to furnish any satisfactory response before the court.

The court, while granting bail, directed the police to submit the challan at the next hearing.