ATC issues warrant in LHC vandalism case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Advocate Majid Jahangir after he failed to appear in a case involving vandalism at the Lahore High Court (LHC) Copy Branch.

ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain directed the concerned station house officer (SHO) to arrest the accused and produce him before the court.

Further proceedings were adjourned until September 30. Majid Jahangir has remained absent from several previous hearings. During the last two hearings, his guarantor appeared and told the court that the accused was his brother and that his mental condition had deteriorated.

He said Jahangir had left home and was missing. However, neither Jahangir nor his brother appeared on Thursday.

The trial against the lawyer is already underway, while his acquittal plea has previously been dismissed.

The case was registered in 2021 at Old Anarkali Police Station on the complaint of LHC Copy Branch Assistant Registrar Shabbir Ahmed.

According to the prosecution, Jahangir allegedly vandalised the Copy Branch over a delay in obtaining a case copy.

He faces charges including damaging government property, issuing death threats, attempting to take possession of property and obstructing government officials in the discharge of their duties.