Christian couple lynching: ATC indicts 106 suspects

Published May 21, 2015
The court has also summoned witnesses to record their statements against the suspects. —AFP/File
The court has also summoned witnesses to record their statements against the suspects. —AFP/File

LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday indicted 106 suspects in the Kot Radha Kishan Christian couple lynching that took place last year.

The court has also issued summons for tomorrow for witnesses in the case in order to record their statements against the suspects involved in Shama and Shahzad's lynching.

The indictment of the 106 came after the police submitted a challan (charge-sheet) against the suspects at the ATC in Lahore today.

The challan states that Maulvi Mohammad Hussain, Maulvi Arshad Baloch and Maulvi Noorul Hassan were involved in persistent provocative speech against the couple which led to the assembly of 400 people as a mob who then burnt Shama and Shahzad alive.

Read: Christian couple beaten to death for 'desecrating Quran': police

After the challan was presented at the hearing, the court also held Yousaf Gujjar, the owner of the brick kiln where the couple was beaten to death, responsible.

The enraged mob beat the Christian couple to death in November last year for allegedly desecrating a copy of the Holy Quran and burnt their bodies in the brick kiln where they worked.

The incident took place in the town of Kot Radha Kishan, some 60 kilometres southwest of Lahore.

Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Anyone convicted, or even just accused, of insulting Islam, risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes.

Take a look: Tracing footsteps in Kot Radha Kishan

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...