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Court Orders Release of Elderly Man Held for Remarks Against Punjab CM
Lahore court discharges elderly man Muhammad Sajid, arrested after viral video criticizing Punjab CM. Judge says no incriminating evidence, police version in doubt.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-15
Court Orders Release of Elderly Man Held for Remarks Against Punjab CM

A sessions court in Lahore on Tuesday discharged Muhammad Sajid, an elderly man arrested in connection with a 2024 case after a viral video showed him using abusive language against the Punjab Chief Minister while riding a motorcycle in the rain.

The video, which circulated widely on social media, sparked strong reactions online. Shortly afterward, Sajid was reportedly taken into custody by Johar Town police, with no immediate information about his whereabouts. His son, Muhammad Umar, filed a habeas corpus petition seeking his recovery.

During Monday’s proceedings, Additional District and Sessions Judge Ghulam Farid sought a detailed reply from the Johar Town Station House Officer (SHO). By Tuesday, police presented Sajid before the Model Town Court and requested judicial remand under a June 2024 FIR filed by Green Town police.

However, the court found no solid grounds for his continued detention.

“No incriminating evidence is present against the accused person to be sent to judicial remand,” the court order stated.
“Hence, the request of the investigating officer (IO) has been turned down … the accused person is discharged from the instant case.”

Sajid was subsequently released and unshackled.

His counsel, Advocate Noman Sarwar Dogar, argued that Sajid had been wrongfully nominated in the FIR, adding that his arrest appeared politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.

In the habeas corpus petition, lawyer Sameer Khan Khattak alleged that police had detained Sajid illegally for over two days, without presenting him before any court or filing any fresh charges.

“They forced my client’s father to record apology videos, which were later circulated on social media,” Khattak told the court.

The judge remarked that the police’s version lacked credibility, and ordered the immediate release of the accused.

Public Backlash and Free Speech Concerns

The arrest sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates and citizens, many of whom argued that the case was a gross violation of free speech and abuse of police power. The viral video had prompted both humor and criticism online, but also triggered alarm over the state's growing intolerance of dissent.

Observers have raised questions about the misuse of FIRs, lack of procedural fairness, and potential intimidation through forced apology videos.

The case is now being seen as a test of judicial independence and citizens’ rights to express dissent without fear of arrest or harassment.

 
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