51 sentenced to five years for May 9 riots

Gujranwala ATC becomes first court to convict people in last year’s unrest

GUJRANWALA:

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday sentenced 51 people to five years in jail for attacking the Gujranwala cantonment on May 9, 2023, following the first arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan—the first batch of suspects to be convicted in the May 9 related cases.

These suspects were booked and arrested by the Rahwali Cantt police over charges of attacks on sensitive army facilities, arson, killing a citizen, and attacks on cops causing injuries to them, as well as vandalism of government property.

ATC Judge Natasha Naseem Sipra handed down rigorous imprisonment of five years and a fine of Rs10,000 each to the suspects, with a further jail time of 10 days in case of default under different sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Under the five other charges, including roadblock, they were sentenced to one year in jail under the provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for each count. However, the prosecution failed to prove the charges of killing and attempted murder against them.

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All punishments handed down by the court shall be cumulative, and in default of payment of the fine, the convicts shall be liable to an additional 10 days of imprisonment.

Following a complaint filed by SHO Mudassar Butt, the Rahwali Cantt police station registered a case against 23 identified individuals and approximately 300 to 400 others for vandalizing state and military properties, causing injuries to 10 cops, including a superintendent, and causing the loss of a civilian life in last year’s May 9 riots. Additionally, four vehicles were damaged during the unrest.

Subsequently, 51 suspects, including a PTI independent candidate, were apprehended in connection with the disturbances. The trial of these individuals continued inside jail for three months. Several PTI leaders named in the case are on interim bail from courts, and their challans are pending.

The convicts will be entitled to the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The section stipulates that the detention time of a prisoner has to be considered in the jail term when a person is convicted by a court. It means that the detention periods served so far will also be counted as part of the jail terms announced and subtracted from the sentence of five years.