Court grants 10-day police custody of Imran Khan in May 9 riots case
The Lahore Police Investigation Department, comprising a team of 13, visited Adiala Jail on Saturday to question Imran Khan about the violence. | Source: PTI//AP
An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has ordered police to remand Pakistan Tehreeek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in custody for 10 days in connection with 12 cases stemming from the May 9 riots, Dawn reported.
Last year, unrest broke out across the country after Imran Khan was arrested by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court in a corruption case.
During the protests, large-scale rioting and vandalism were reported at several locations, including the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander and the headquarters in Rawalpindi, as seen in footage on social media.
The Lahore Police Investigation Department, comprising a team of 13, visited Adiala Jail on Saturday to question Imran Khan over the violence. However, the PTI leader refused to meet the team, which sought to question him over allegations related to inciting public unrest against the state, as reported by Dawn.
According to Lahore Investigation DIG Zeeshan Asghar, Imran Khan has been arrested as the main suspect in 12 cases registered at various police stations in Lahore. The charges against him range from provoking the public to attacking government properties and military installations.
Senior police officials said the focus of the investigation was mainly on two cases: the attack on the residence of the force commander in Lahore and the Askari Tower.
The cases were filed at various police stations including Sarwar Road, Gulberg, Race Course, Naseerabad, Shadman and others in Lahore.
During today’s hearing at Anti-Terrorism Court-I before Justice Khalid Arshad, the police sought 30 days’ physical remand for Imran Khan to enable further investigation into the 12 cases. Imran Khan appeared via video call from Adiala Jail, represented by his lawyers, Azhar Siddique and Usman Gul, who objected to the remote proceedings and insisted on his physical presence.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Khalid Arshad briefly stayed his verdict and later granted 10-day physical remand for Imran Khan. This remand is applicable to cases registered at Sarwar Road, Gulberg, Race Course, Shadman, Model Town and Mughalpura police stations, totaling five cases at Sarwar Road, three at Gulberg and one each at the other stations, Dawn reported.
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First print: Jul 16, 2024 | 11:04 AM IST