Court seeks arguments on ATA sections

Christian couple case

By our correspondents
February 10, 2015
LAHORE
An anti-terrorism court Monday summoned counsel for parties for arguments on an application filed by a kiln owner in Kot Radha Kishan Christian couple burning case challenging sections of Anti Terrorism Act (ATA) in the FIR.
The counsel of kiln owner, Yousaf Gujjar, filed an application seeking abstraction of ATA sections from the FIR registered against him. He implored the court to expunge ATA sections from the FIR and send the case to a sessions court.
The court after hearing the plea summoned counsel for both the parties for arguments.
Shama, 24, and Shahzad, 28, were burnt alive in a kiln in Kot Radha Kishan. Police had registered a case against the accused under PPC sections including 302, 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc.), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186, and 7ATA. So far, the police had arrested 75 accused in this case.