On May 2, 2011 Babar Masih, a resident of Chichawatni, was accused of blasphemy. His case was registered in Chichawatni City Police Station, case number 217.
The complainant of the case, Zeeshan Arshad, alleged in the FIR that”Today, May 2, 2011, at around 8:30pm, I was standing in front of my shop when Babar Masih, son of Iqbal Masih, was passing by while shouting something very loud. I got attracted to him because of his loud voice. He was talking to the stars and calling names of Muslim holy personages.”
The FIR shows that Babar Masih never intended to hurt Zeeshan’s feeling. Also no one in his or her right mind will address the stars and say such nasty things in order to draw ire of public.
The investigation officer was provided sufficient proof of Masih’s treatment but the challan report does not mention this. However, the police have favored Masih by charging him under 295-C PPC but they have charged him with 298, 298-A and 506 of PPC.
CDI is representing Masih and on August 2, 2011 duty magistrate Civil Judge Class 1st Muhammad Zia Khan granted him bail. Yesterday, August 3, he was released from District Sahiwal Jail on bail.
Asif Aqeel
Director, Community Development Initiative (CDI)
asifaqeel@gmail.com
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Secular Pakistan 