KARACHI: A judicial magistrate granted bail to 13 activists of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Monday in a case pertaining to raising ‘provocative slogans against state institutions.’

After hearing the investigation officer and defence counsel Hafeez Lashari, the court granted bail to 13 BYC activists without touching the merit of the case against a personal bond of Rs10,000 each.

The investigating officer of the case produced 13 BYC activists before the judicial magistrate (South) on Monday, seeking an extension in physical custody after completing the first remand.

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Meanwhile, the defence counsel moved an application requesting the court to discharge the suspects under Section 63 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

However, the court rejected both pleas and remanded the suspects in judicial custody. Subsequently, the defence counsel submitted another application, seeking post-arrest bail.

During arguments, Advocate Lashari pointed out that the IO failed to provide evidence regarding the allegation against their clients that they had chanted provocative slogans against state institutions during the ‘peaceful rally’.

He further argued that they (suspects) were exercising their constitutional rights. He contended that the IO failed to produce private witnesses against their clients, who had allegedly been involved in a disturbance near Art Council.

He also stated that no previous criminal record was found against his clients as per the IO submission before the court.

After hearing the arguments, the court allowed post-arrest bail application and directed to release the activists if they were not required in any other case.

According to the FIR, around 300 to 350 protesters had gathered near the Arts Council, raising provocative slogans against state institutions and inciting unrest. The police arrested 13 BYC activists and registered a case against them at Arambagh police station under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups, etc.), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2024