ATC scolds police for filing terrorism case against participants of Sindh Culture Day rally

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi on Monday refused to grant physical remand of 12 suspects arrested over alleged arson, vandalism, and anti-state slogans during Sindh Culture Day.

During the hearing, the judge ordered that all suspects be presented instead before a judicial magistrate.

Reprimanding the police for invoking terror charges, the judge asked the investigation officer (IO) to read the FIR aloud. “This is only violation of Section 144. Where has terrorism come from?” he asked.

When the IO argued that the complainant, not he, added the terrorism section, the judge retorted, “Whoever added it is illiterate, and whoever brought this case here is illiterate as well.”

Prosecutor Ali Raza argued that government property within the Red Zone was damaged.

To which, the judge asked this rally takes place every year so what happened after they crossed the airport? Where are the slogans? "Don’t rely on verbal claims. How did this become terrorism?” he asked.

The court noted that the suspects did not intend to set vehicles on fire and that even the IO acknowledged this. The judge questioned the legality of the FIR, calling it “vague” and suggesting that the suspects were arrested from a peaceful rally and a “fake FIR” was registered afterward.

The IO, according to the court, failed to establish any serious loss or provide evidence linking the case with terrorism.