Youhanabad riots: Woman driver’s bail extended till April 4

Her plea seeking exemption from appearing in person was also accepted.

LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge extended the interim bail till April 4 of a woman accused of hitting 14 protesters with her vehicle a day after the Youhanabad suicide attacks. Two of them had later died.

On Tuesday, Maryam Safdar’s counsel submitted an application, requesting that the court exempt from appearing before the court due to illness. A medical certificate was also attached with the application. Complainant Hameed Masih also sought adjournment of the case for hiring a lawyer. The judge accepted both requests. The court directed the investigation officer of the case to appear before the court along with record at the next hearing. At the last hearing, the court had granted bail to Safdar and directed her to join the investigation and to appear before the court at every hearing.

 Autopsy report of victims

Police have received the initial autopsy report of the two men killed in the violent protest. They have also been sent the DNA reports of both the victims confirming their identities.

Police are yet to receive a chemical report from the Punjab Forensics Laboratory which would confirm the cause of their death. Investigation SSP Rana Ayaz Saleem said no one had been arrested in the case so far. He said they will soon proceed to arrest the suspects.

Saleem said that he was yet to receive the autopsy report.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2015.