Court grants bail to Umar Akmal
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LAHORE: A local sessions court on Sunday granted bail to Pakistan cricket team's middle-order batsman Umar Akmal and released him against a surety bond of Rs100,000 over his run-in with a traffic sergeant earlier on Saturday.
Television channel Express News late on Saturday had said that Akmal left for his home with elder brother Kamran on a personal bond.
A case was registered against Umar and police had detained him for several hours for allegedly slapping a traffic sergeant after violating a traffic signal in Lahore.
Police said the 23-year-old Akmal, whose brothers Kamran and Adnan also play for Pakistan, did not stop at a traffic signal in the commercial Firdous market area in Lahore, and later brawled with a traffic warden.
“Three wardens tried to stop him after he violated a traffic signal but he did not (stop). And when he finally stopped, he scuffled with a warden and tore his uniform,” senior local police official Zahid Nawaz told reporters.
“Umar is under arrest and a case has been filed against him.”
But Akmal denied the charges, claiming he had been assaulted by the traffic warden first. “The warden hit me on my face and you can see the wounds,” he told reporters.
“I myself came to the police station with a request to control the wardens who misbehave with people and police have instead registered a case against me.”
Later Saturday, the Lahore police took Akmal to a session court but could not produce him before the close of proceedings.
Akmal's lawyer Wasim Mumtaz said police stopped him from meeting Umar.
“The police wasted time and even stopped me from meeting him,” said Mumtaz, who was unsure whether his client will be released on bail before court proceedings on Monday.
Mumtaz added that the authorities had yet to show him a copy of the allegations against his client, a refusal which he described as “unlawful”.
Akmal's elder brother Kamran, former Pakistan vice captain, also accompanied the lawyer.
Earlier Akmal was charged on three bailable counts and faces the prospect of a large fine or six months in prison if convicted.
Akmal has so far played 16 Tests, 89 one-day internationals and 52 Twenty20 for Pakistan in a career that began in 2009.
He is regarded as one of Pakistan's most talented batsman, but has failed to live up to his potential because of his rashness in batting and approach.
He was dropped from the Test side in 2011 but regularly plays limited overs cricket.
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Comments (55) Closed
Feb 01, 2014 03:57pm
Sir,
No one is above the law. If Umar Akmal has broken the law and assaulted a traffic warden then he should get punished appropriately and must not get any leniency whatsoever.
Let see if the justice is applied or he gets away.
Regards,
Hyder
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Feb 01, 2014 04:02pm
Time to prove that law is blind. Should treat everyone the same regardless...
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Feb 01, 2014 04:02pm
Shame on these so called heroes. They should be an example of a good citizen to the youth instead. Give him a good lesson guys.
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Feb 01, 2014 04:04pm
This is a usual behavior of our elite class who consider them self upper from the law. I am sure this has happened in the public with clear evidences. Deserve to be punished if guilty. Media should play a critical role not making our stars innocent when they violate law. We saw in the past Salman But appeared on TV talk shows as an expert. Media should stop projecting these figures a hero and boycott them. Deserve such figures in our society a complete social ban.
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Feb 01, 2014 04:21pm
Please give examplary punishment to this umar akamal. Well done pakistani police. He said other people are right who dont come to pakistan to play. Hhhhhh shame on you traitor. U are evil
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Feb 01, 2014 04:43pm
Why mediq os supporting this man umar akmal and not the police while u see below all.people are favouring our police. Shame on those meida who supporting him. I hate him saying that police reconise him but still stopped him? Why not? And that because he is arrasred for breaking law he is not safe and he appriciate now that people not coming to pakistan for cricket. This are the people who are traitors.
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Feb 01, 2014 04:59pm
why media is supporting this guy umar akmal for breaking law and threatening warden who was doing his job. well done warden. shame on umar akmal. he said he is not safe in country and he appreciate those countries who are not coming to Pakistan as its not safe as he is not safe after breaking law and beating warden. And why police stopped him for crossing red light knowing he is umar akmal? what the hell this man is talking about? he is illiterate idiot. I hope our great Pakistan police would teach him lesson for life and ordinary nation would support them. Unfortunately our baby media is also uneducated.
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Feb 01, 2014 05:08pm
Why should we be surprised?. Umar Akmal is a STAR and anyone famous in Pakistan considers himself above the law. How dare the lowly policeman stopped a star for a minor incident?. He is only 23 and considers himself way above the law. Can you imagine if he continues with this mindset, what will become of him when he is in his 40s and 50s?. Umar Akmal, you should get the maximum punishment allowed for crimes like these. Well done Punjab police.
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Feb 01, 2014 05:14pm
@Yousuf:
Couldn't agree more. Salman But a convicted criminal who spent time in jail was seen on TV giving his opinion on cricket....the very game he was sent to jail for bringing into disrepute. What nation shows off their convicted criminals on TV with pride?.
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Feb 01, 2014 05:33pm
Everybody are equal in oboying the laws.
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Feb 01, 2014 05:35pm
Should be to followed the laws.
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Feb 01, 2014 05:44pm
Mr Umar Akma got what he rightly deserved: being put behind bars, for violating traffic laws and assaulting a on duty officer. The only way we can put our country back on track is by establishing rule of law. Great, a small step in the right direction. Full marks to Pakistan police.
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Feb 01, 2014 05:58pm
Good job police drain and fine him for abusing a police officer
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Feb 01, 2014 06:17pm
Once they play cricket, some of them claim to have 'star power' like stars of Bollywood. Keep him in the jail, president of cricket control board is not going to take any action.
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Feb 01, 2014 06:22pm
Well done punjab police.
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Feb 01, 2014 06:38pm
We have only heard opposing views from the two sides. But the people have already given their verdicts here.
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Feb 01, 2014 06:44pm
It was stupid on Umar Akmal's part. He must be dealt according to law with no leniency, unless Warden forgives him.
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Feb 01, 2014 06:46pm
He is just so disappointing; boy get serious both in cricket and life.
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Feb 01, 2014 06:59pm
@santainsnow:
well said brother.i will appreciate your matured talk about your country,cricket,life. people like umar should behave properly.as if they role models to other country men.
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Feb 01, 2014 07:40pm
I wish the police could handle Malik Riaz's grandson if/when he does the same.
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Feb 01, 2014 07:45pm
nobody should be above the law even president of that country, he should respect law and now he should fallow what law says, God bless pakistan and people of Pakistan,
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Feb 01, 2014 08:03pm
Jail, time with fines, followed to by temporary suspension should bring these people to their senses and deter others from misbehaving.
Pakistan is slowly creeping towards a civil society ruled by laws, applied equally to all regardless of wealth or power.
The feudal mindset has to be broken.
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Feb 01, 2014 08:33pm
illiteracy compounded with overrated'ness' and arrogance. besides no one should be considered above law.
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Feb 01, 2014 08:47pm
Hope all good comes out of this story. Meaning Umar would learn the lesson and police would learn their limits. God willing!
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Feb 01, 2014 09:31pm
Umar Akmal's arrest is a clear example of violance of th state against violance of people.
People of Pakistan are not happy with police's harsh & insulting reaction. This is why our talented youth wish to live in the west. All of us must do their best to make Pakistan liveable.
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Feb 01, 2014 10:19pm
Make this scum bag a test case.
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Feb 01, 2014 10:33pm
Umar should be given severe penalty or punishment for violation. We blame politicians, and army generals for violating the law of the country. In fact, everyone who has some power or back up violate the law. This is culture we people have developed in our homeland. Soon we land in foreign soil we start abiding there laws but when home we don't respect our own law.
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Feb 01, 2014 10:38pm
well don police
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Feb 01, 2014 10:38pm
**well done**
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Feb 01, 2014 10:58pm
Some people assume that they are prevailed and indulge in similar behavior. He is rowdy on & off the field.
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Feb 01, 2014 11:53pm
Politicians,celebrity,sportsman ,army everybody has that disease called "Entitlement".
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Feb 02, 2014 12:17am
Pakistani Justin Bieber
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Feb 02, 2014 12:28am
unfortunately in Pakistan, anyone who thinks he's something, behaves arrogantly like they're above the law. This good for nothing pathetic "talent" is fine shinning example of this.
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Feb 02, 2014 03:43am
there will be no democracy when its institution like law is put a side. The fact is is that umar akmal in complex of his title or being a part of pakistani cricket tried to take the advantage and violated the traffic rule thinking its a common practice by BIG PEOPLE so why not me. but he never knew that hitting a police warden or misbehaving with him could result in hard penalty. what so ever one thing is clear that he is not suffering becaz he breaked the law but becaz he hit the guy in uniform. umar akmal should appologise (i'm sorry this word is not for BIG PEOPLE) and save his name..
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Feb 02, 2014 03:59am
Everyone seems to be jumping on conclusions here. Have you all not been on the streets of Pakistan? The police is the one that feels entitled to do any thing they want. Umar might even be telling the truth, what are you going to do if a warden, who does not know his limits slaps you? 95% people in Pakistan will fight back, sportsman, celebrity or not.
If he did break the law, the warden can write a ticket and that would the end of the story. Now we don't know who instigated the fight and we should not just start judging Umar because he is a cricketer.
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Feb 02, 2014 05:16am
@Burki:
You know you are exactly right. If all of us start obeying the law and are not so so arrogant because we srve our nation - Pakistan can become a beautiful country to live in.
We have to some how break this cycle of Elected officials, politicians and government officer and rich people think that they are above the law. Each one of us will have to sacrifice a little but together we can fix this country.
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Feb 02, 2014 05:22am
No one is above the law! They should proceed in accordance with the law. Assaulting a police officer should not be taken lightly. Please set the precedence.
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Feb 02, 2014 06:27am
No one is above the law and so Umar Akmal should be charged accordingly.
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Feb 02, 2014 08:48am
@Iftikhar Mian: In the west, if you run a traffic signal and even touch an officer they will beat you like silly, use a taser gun on you break your arm while throwing you to the ground five cops will sit on you and arrest you and the cuffs will be so tight that your wrists will bleed. Becareful what you wish for and o yeh just follow the law!
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Feb 02, 2014 08:54am
Every Pakistani, regardless designation, not above law.
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Feb 02, 2014 09:02am
I've lived in Pakistan for a very long time and I know exactly how absurb these traffic police officials can be. All of them can be easily bribed and they stop you sometimes for no reason, just to take money out of you. They have no understanding of the word "Respect".
So beofre people jump the wagon and start blaming Akmal, lets wait till the whole truth comes out.
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Feb 02, 2014 09:15am
@ali azmat:
Yes, Umar should (must) be handed out the "heaviest" punishment. He needs to be taught a good lesson. The sooner he changes his arrogant behaviour the better.His fans are also requested not to take his side in this case.
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Feb 02, 2014 09:16am
Umar Akmal should be handed out the heaviest punishment for show of arrogance.
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Feb 02, 2014 12:36pm
This is what happens when people make them larger than life. Its typical subcontinental problem prevailing due to corrupt system.
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Feb 02, 2014 12:57pm
Good job police, umar type people think they are above law, and they are some kind of special people, thet dont know that we ordinary people have made them special and they are not above other people or law... he should penalized heavily and should make example for other people with the same mind set i.e politicians, showbiz people, super stars etc that they all also be carefull in future... people of pakistan are now getting well aware and well educated.. time has gone when pakistani people stay quite and compromise on injustice..
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Feb 02, 2014 01:14pm
What about the fact that he broke the traffic signal in the first place ?
That traffic police officer should be commended for catching such arrogant pricks who think they are bigger than the country...
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Feb 02, 2014 03:51pm
Whilst I agree with most comments below, I am surprised that everyone has failed to mention the fact that the common man in Pakistan is no different, in fact it's the entire social fabric of our country which is the problem.
Countless traffic violations are committed by the general public on a daily basis, rishwat is the most common form of chalaan and funnily enough I can bet that most people who have commented below would've been involved in one or the other or both at some stage - not that I'm pointing fingers, like I said our entire social set up is a problem which includes the common man!
"Jaisi rooh waise farishtey" let's not indulge too much in this media trial of a celebrity. Let the courts do their jobs once all facts surface. In the mean time if we all look at our own 'kirdars' and stop indulging in breaking traffic violations, rishwat etc it'll will go a long way in changing our society for the better.
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Feb 02, 2014 04:54pm
I am sorry to say but all this attitude comes from a lack of education & upbringing. I was recently checking in at Islamabad Airport, & I was 2nd in line to be served after queuing for about 15 minutes, when a young man in his 20's accompanied by an older man decided to ignore the line of people waiting to be served & simply walked to the front. Not a single person from the line or any official challenged them. I pointed out to them politely that the queue stared from the back & that is where they should join like everyone else. They informed me that I should not be so concerned as they will go behind me & that should be OK. We had a heated exchange & not a single person came to my aid despite the fact that I was sticking up for all the people in the line. Until the wrong doers are embarrassed & criticised by the public at large & the media in general, they will continue to do what the regard as their 'right'.
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Feb 02, 2014 08:20pm
Average talent poor Behavior
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Feb 02, 2014 09:48pm
@Burki:
I am unable to understand this blind tilting towards the corrupt police. None of the people commenting here were a witness to the incident and they continue to take sides and pass judgements based on their blind perceptions. How ridiculous! Our police is absolutely capable of misbehaving with citizens to pull out a few bucks from their pockets. Police everyday create hurdles to file FIRs for genuine crimes against a common man and can be extremely efficient to file a false case against its people for selfish gains. I am shocked at the immaturity of these commentators!
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Feb 02, 2014 09:49pm
In my opinion the police wardens have misbehaved with a young cricket hero in case he may have misbehaved they should ignore it but I am confident Akmal did not misbehave our police is
entiely corrupt and it is needed that the entire police system be changed as police gives to criminals protection while have made life miserable to common man the police system be operated but who will do it,may Allah help us
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Feb 02, 2014 10:00pm
@Iftikhar Mian:
you are absolutely right
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Feb 03, 2014 02:19am
If Umar Akmal had done the same in Chicago the Police might have shot him.
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Feb 03, 2014 10:14am
Hope now Umar understands traffic laws.
Likewise Umar don't forget laws of cricket that has already put Pak cricket image under microscope. You are admired as one of the most talented cricketer, please also act like one.
Learn and GROW UP....
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Feb 03, 2014 11:05pm
It's rather hard to visualize, know, understand and analyze who is right and who is wrong in this whole episode? Everybody claims his innocence and points to the other party as perpetuator and trouble maker. What a shame?
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