Tag: blasphemy charges

  • Sri Lankan cricket legend Ranatunga thanks PM Khan for ensuring justice for Priyantha Kumara

    The former 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning Sri Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, thanked Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for his efforts to find all those involved in the lynching of Priyantha Kumara and his support for the deceased’s family.

    Sharing the letter he wrote to the premier, Arjuna tweeted, “Thank you for all your efforts in bringing justice for the crime committed against Priyantha Kumara, and for the continued support and commitment toward his family.”

    The letter reads, “You [Imran Khan] have always been unwavering in facing challenges whether it be on the cricket field or the political arena. Since you’ve become the prime minister of Pakistan, you have been carefully addressing some controversial issues in the country.”

    Earlier this month, 49-year-old Kumara, a manager at Rajco factory in Sialkot, was lynched by a mob. The mob tortured him to death and later burnt his body.

    Following the news, PM Khan condemned the incident and ensured the punishment of those who were involved.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against 900 workers of Rajco Industries and several arrests have been made.

  • Sialkot Bar refuses legal representation to mob lynching suspects

    Sialkot Bar refuses legal representation to mob lynching suspects

    The Sialkot District Bar Association has refused to take up the case of suspects in Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara’s lynching case, reports Dawn. The decision was made in the meeting held by the association on Wednesday. The association also expressed its grief over the sad incident.

    The eight suspects in the case were brought before a Gujranwala anti-terrorism court yesterday. The court remanded them in police custody for 13 days. As per court’s order, the suspects will have to appear in court again on December 21. The suspects were arrested with the help of CCTV footage. So far, 345 Rajco Industries’ employees have been detained and taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.

    The last remains of Priyantha Kumara, were transferred to Sri Lanka on December 6.

    Read more- Sri Lankan manager Priyantha Kumara’s remains transferred from Lahore to Colombo

    Priyantha Kumara was tortured to death on December 3 by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the incident and has said that justice will be served.

    Read more- ‘He was a really innocent man’: Wife of Sri Lankan manager asks Pakistan for justice

  • Indian Swara Bhasker condemns mob lynching incident in Sialkot

    Indian Swara Bhasker condemns mob lynching incident in Sialkot

    Indian actress, Swara Bhasker took to Twitter to share her views on the tragic mob lynching incident of the Sri Lankan national in Sialkot over alleged blasphemy charges.

    She tweeted, “Absolutely sickening and gut-wrenching the madness, brutality, and monstrosity humans unleash in the name of Gods and religion. Horrendous!”

    Swara Bhasker is also working as an activist who raises her voice against Hindu extremists’ atrocities on minorities and lower castes.

    Priyantha Diyawadana, a Sri Lankan national was working as a manager since 2010 in a factory located at Sialkot. He allegedly tore posters off a wall in the factory, which had religious text written on it. After taking down the poster, hundreds of people gathered, dragged him outside, killed him, and then burnt his body on Friday.

    In the video shared on social media, it can be seen that the man’s body was burnt publicly after he was murdered.

    Several Pakistani celebrities including Mahira Khan, Ayesha Omar, and Saba Qamar also expressed their grief and condemned the mob lynching incident on their social media.