ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted protectivebailtoTikToker Muhammad Ansar Jatt, alias Mr Patlo, after a stampede at his mehndi (henna) event in Sialkot claimed two lives.
Jatt had announced holding a mehndi event and prize-distribution ceremony at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road on Friday night; however, with hundreds gathered at the site, a stampede occurred when the stadium gates opened, killing two and injuring 18 people.
Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) was registered on Oct 31 at the Motra police station, naming Jatt, his brother, the owner of Faraz Cricket Ground, six others, and 40-45 unidentified security guards.
On Tuesday, IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar approved the protective bail for the TikToker until Nov 10, allowing him to avoid arrest while he approaches the relevant court to seek legal remedy. He had surrendered before the court in a wheelchair.
Jatt had filed a petition, seeking the court’s intervention to prevent his arrest before he could reach the court of competent jurisdiction.
Advocates Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi and Barrister Raja Ali Abbas Jalap filed the petition on his behalf.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the FIR was registered outside the IHC’s territorial jurisdiction. However, the counsel maintained that the sole object of seeking protective bail was to enable a suspect present within the jurisdiction of one court to safely approach the court where the case was registered without being arrested on the way.
‘The merits of the case are not required to be examined at this stage, the petition stated, adding that without the pro-tection, the petitioner’s right to seek pre-arrest bail before a Sialkot court would be rendered illusory.
After hearing the arguments, Justice Dogar granted the relief, noting the temporary and limited nature of the protective bail and allowing the petitioner time to surrender before the appropriate forum.