Men in 'lawyers' robes' assault police

LAHORE:

A violent confrontation erupted at Model Town Court on March 5, when a group of men dressed in lawyers' attire allegedly attacked a police team escorting a narcotics suspect, resulting in injuries to officers and immediate arrests.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Naseerabad Police Station, the incident occurred around 9:50am as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Shahbaz and his team were presenting a suspect in a drug-related case (FIR 195/26 under Section 9-C of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act) for a court hearing. Witnesses stated that 10–15 men, clad in black coats and trousers typical of lawyers, stormed the court premises shouting slogans and demanding the suspect's release.

The FIR alleges that the attackers used physical force, including punches, kicks, and blunt objects, to overpower the police personnel.

During the scuffle, the suspect was temporarily taken from custody, causing minor injuries to several officers.

The attack disrupted court proceedings and heightened tensions in the courthouse. The FIR was filed under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 365 (abduction), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant), 186 (obstructing public servant), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence), 379 (theft), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

In response, police conducted immediate raids and arrested a named suspect, Shahbaz, shortly after the incident. "Operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused based on the arrested individual's identification," said a spokesperson for DIG Operations.