KARACHI – Tensions erupted at the Karachi City Court when lawyers allegedly assaulted the Station House Officer (SHO) of the City Court Police Station, according to police sources.
The incident reportedly involved 30 to 40 lawyers who attacked the SHO after police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against several lawyers linked to the assault on YouTuber Rajab Butt. Authorities said the lawyers were angered by the FIR registration.
Lawyers, however, presented a different version, claiming they approached the SHO to file a counter-FIR. They alleged that the confrontation escalated after the SHO refused to register the case on their behalf.
Earlier, an FIR was filed against lawyers for assaulting Rajab Butt during his court appearance. The complainant, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, said the YouTuber was attacked by Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi, Abdul Fatah, and 15 to 20 others.
The FIR cited sections 147, 148, and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, covering rioting, assault, and unlawful assembly. According to Ashfaq, Butt suffered injuries to his jaw and mouth, was harassed, and had his bag containing three lakh rupees stolen.
The assault occurred while Butt attended a hearing in a blasphemy case filed against him at Haidery Police Station. He had received interim bail and was accompanied by his legal counsel, who tried to intervene.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that Butt was physically beaten, his clothes torn, and bleeding occurred during the attack. Court staff and police later arrived to disperse the lawyers, restoring calm at the City Court.
Police have emphasized the seriousness of the incident and confirmed that the SHO is unharmed. Investigations are ongoing to hold the responsible lawyers accountable.
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The incident highlights rising tensions between legal professionals and law enforcement in Karachi, raising concerns about courtroom safety and adherence to law.
