People captured during operation against Lal Masjid: SC orders release of those not involved in serious crimes
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday directed the government to release on bail the people arrested during the Lal Masjid operation except those involved in serious crimes, submit a detailed report on the total deaths and injuries, and provide treatment to Maulana Abdul Azizs wife Umme Hasaan.
"How many did you shoot, sonny?"
"Eleven, judge!"
"Eh, that ain't that many. You can go."
"Thanks, yer honor! Can I have my guns back?" | A two-member SC bench consisting of Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi and Justice Faqir Muhammad Khokhar ordered Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Muhammad Ali to ensure the early release on bail of all the persons under Section 188 and immediately lift the curfew in Sector G-6. The bench rejected the preliminary report of the administration regarding the total number of the dead and injured people, as it did not carry the names of the persons.
Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Tariq Khokhar told the court that 102 people including 91 civilians, 10 commandoes and one Rangers official died in the operation. He said that of 629 males arrested during the operation, 386 had been released. He said that 241 men were in the judicial custody, while two others were on physical remand. He said that three women Umme Hasaan and her daughters Tayyaba and Asma were detained under Section 224 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court also ordered medical treatment for Umme Hasaan on her lawyers request.
Posted by: Fred 2007-07-14 |