Due Process: Sawan Masih formally charged

SP had earlier requested the jail trial, citing the sensitivity of the matter and threat to the life of the accused.

LAHORE: A resident of Joseph Colony, who was accused of committing blasphemy leading to burning down of 150 houses in March, was formally charged on Wednesday. Additional District and Sessions Judge Chaudhary Ghulam Murtaza also summoned prosecution witnesses for June 12. The charges were framed at the District Jail after the Home Department granted permission for the trial to be held in prison due to security reasons. SP (Headquarters) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera had earlier requested the jail trial, citing the sensitivity of the matter and threat to the life of the accused.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2013.