Tag: blasphemy suspect

  • ‘Not satisfied with the investigation in Jaranwala incident’: Christian Community

    Grace Bible Fellowship Church Pakistan, a missionary trust, has filed a writ petition through its chairman Peter Charles requesting the court to order a judicial inquiry committee to ensure a fair investigation into and trial of the perpetrators of the Jaranwala incident.

    The petitioner states that an incident of alleged defiling of the Holy Quran, unfortunately, happened in Jaranwala, and through announcements from local mosques, a severe riot took place by a furious mob of Muslim devotees. The mob ransacked the properties of Christian residents, and the riotous elements torched more than 25 churches of and over 50 houses, along with household articles, using petrol bombs.

    Petition submits that the members of the Christian community of the area still live in a state of fear and at risk to their lives and liberty, alleging that the local administration and law enforcement authorities deliberately failed to control the violent mob and the law and order situation.

    It further states that although joint investigation teams (JITs) constituted by the government will submit their findings after completion of due course, which is a time taking practice, whereas the victims seek instant remedies to restore their routine life.

    Expressing its concerns over the working of the JITs, the Christian body says more than 500 suspects were involved in the riots, but the police have only arrested 25 to 30, just to save their skins. It alleges that police officials are also under undue pressure from influential extremist elements.

    The petition pleads that the Christian community is dissatisfied with the performance and discriminating behaviour of the police, as well as the proceedings of the JITs.

    It urges the court to restrain the police from engaging in illegal abduction, harassment and pressurising of the members of the Christian community at the behest of religious elements for any undue, unfair compromise and settlement.

    Advocate Shahbaz Fazal Saroya, the petitioner’s counsel, resubmitted the petition after removing the objections raised by the registrar’s office.

  • 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

  • Charsadda police station set on fire by 5,000 strong mob finding alleged blasphemy suspect

    Charsadda police station set on fire by 5,000 strong mob finding alleged blasphemy suspect

    In Charsadda, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a mob attacked and set Charsadda police station on fire on Sunday when an official refused to hand over an alleged blasphemy suspect who disrespected the sanctity of the Holy Quran, reports Dawn.

    KP Law Minister, Fazal Shakoor Khan told Dawn that the alleged suspect was arrested on Sunday and later transferred to the Mandani police station in Tangi Tehsil of Charsadda.

    A mob surrounded the police station and demanded to hand over the suspect to them. When the local police declined their demands, more people joined the mob and then attacked the police station. They also smashed police vehicles that were parked outside the station, according to the law minister.

    He added, “The government will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands,” he said, “the suspect who has been arrested will be proceeded against in accordance with the law.”

    Read more- Mob attacks 100-year-old Hindu temple in Rawalpindi

    The causalities from the attack have not been confirmed by the police nor the details of the blasphemy suspect. However, the Peshawar Commissioner, Riaz Mehsud said the suspect is in safe custody. The commissioner while talking to Dawn said that around 4,000-5,000 people attacked the police station.

    Another police official confirmed that the police station is completely destroyed along with their important records. Police used aerial firing and tear gas to disperse the mob.

    After the attack, the mob also blocked the Harichand road by staging a sit-in protest but they were later dispersed after talks with local clerics accompanied by the district administration.