Blasphemy case: SP summoned to testify

The accused had asked the LHC to transfer the case on security grounds. She had also been granted after-arrest bail.

LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge has summoned Kasur SP Syed Ali Mohsin Naqvi to the next hearing to testify in a blasphemy case against a Christian woman. Four of five witnesses have already recorded their statements before the court. Though the alleged blasphemy incident occurred in Kot Nanak Singh, Pattoki tehsil, Kasur district, the Lahore High Court had earlier ordered the case to be transferred to the Lahore District and Sessions Court. The accused, Martha, had asked the LHC to transfer the case on security grounds. She had also been granted after-arrest bail. According to the complainant, Muhammad Dilbar, Martha made derogatory comments about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) near Sher-i-Rabbani mosque. She was charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries the death penalty.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.