Karachi court grants extension of interim bail for YouTuber Rajab Butt | The Express Tribune
Complainant’s lawyer argued that court session was scheduled for 8:30am, but accused appeared at 9:30am
KARACHI:
An Additional District and Sessions Judge on Tuesday approved a request to adjourn the hearing of lawyers representing YouTuber Rajab Butt in his ongoing case against him over the alleged insult of Islamic symbols.
Rajab Butt, released on interim bail, appeared before the court. The complainant’s lawyer argued that the court session was scheduled for 8:30am, but the accused appeared at 9:30am and requested the cancellation of bail. The lawyer further stated that the prosecution was prepared to present evidence, but the defence counsel failed to appear.
A junior lawyer for the accused explained that their counsel, Mian Ali Ashfaq, was on official leave. The judge remarked that defence lawyers had previously failed to appear and advised filing a formal request.
The court subsequently approved the adjournment of the defence lawyers’ hearing and extended Rajab Butt’s interim bail until March 30.
The case against Rajab Butt was registered at Hyderi Market Police Station, and the accused had previously secured interim bail from the court.
Read: Lahore court extends interim bail of Rajab Butt, Nadeem Nani Wala
Earlier, He was assaulted by a group of lawyers at Karachi’s City Court.
According to people present at the court, an exchange of words broke out immediately between Butt and several lawyers at the court premises. The argument escalated into a scuffle, after which Butt was beaten.
His defence lawyers tried to intervene and stop the assault. Butt was later escorted out of the City Court.
