RAWALPINDI: A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday sentenced 20 individuals to six months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs50,000 each after they confessed to their involvement in the May 9 riots, particularly the attack on the Tarnol Railway Station.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah announced the verdict, after which all convicts were sent to Adiala Jail to serve their sentence. The case pertains to the May 9, 2023, violent protests following the arrest of former chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), during which an estimated 150-200 individuals allegedly attacked and vandalised the Tarnol Railway Station. Protesters reportedly set the building on fire and damaged property using stones and sticks.
The convicted individuals confessed before the court, admitting that they had acted on the instigation of national and local PTI leadership. They stated that their actions were voluntary and made without coercion or pressure. They expressed remorse and stated they were ashamed of their conduct.
Citing financial constraints and lack of legal or financial support from the party, the accused said they could not afford to undergo a prolonged trial. They gave written assurances to the court that they would abstain from any future protests and requested leniency in sentencing.
The court considered their confessions and awarded the minimum punishment. Those sentenced include Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Bilal, Ali Rehman, Rehmanullah, Aamir Khan, Muhammad Hasher, Saeed Ahmed, Sarfaraz Khan, Waheed Ahmed, Hameed Khan, Farman Khan, Najeeb Khan, Gul Niaz, Bakhtawar Shah, Ehsanullah, Abdullah, Qari Muhammad Iqbal, Hanifullah, and Ezzatullah.
Five other accused have been declared absconders for failing to appear despite repeated notices. One more, Jahanzeb, is expected to be declared an absconder on May 27 following the completion of proceedings.
The court order aligns with the Supreme Court’s directive to conclude May 9-related cases within three months.
The special ATC also ordered a halt to the release of 560 accused individuals who were granted bail in connection with the violent protests, led by the PTI on Nov 26. The court issued the directive in response to a petition, filed by Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah under Section 21D of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The petition called for a significant increase in the bail bond amount for the accused.
According to the prosecution, 560 individuals have been indicted in 24 separate cases related to the Nov-26 unrest, while an additional 1,074 accused have allegedly wilfully avoided court appearances after being granted bail.
The prosecution argued that each of the 560 accused had only submitted bail bonds worth Rs50,000, which were deemed insufficient given the gravity of the charges.
It was requested that the court increase the bond requirement to two surety bonds of Rs1 million each, along with two guarantors per accused.
After a preliminary hearing, the court ordered jail authorities to suspend the release of the accused on bail until a final decision is made on the petition. Summons notices have also been issued to 560 individuals for further proceedings.