In the latest update on the May 9 riots investigation, Imran Khan and others are now facing “criminal conspiracy” charges. SSP Investigation Anoosh Masood announced this during a press conference in Lahore. Additionally, nine more sections related to treason have been added to the vandalism and violence cases that followed the arrest of the former prime minister in the £190 million NCA UK settlement case on May 9. These charges apply to all suspects, including Khan.
Investigation
The investigation official reported that there is evidence indicating PTI chief Imran Khan’s involvement in inciting mutiny and planning vandalism.
“Section 120(B) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which deals with the punishment for criminal conspiracy, has been added to all the cases related to the May 9 incidents,” Masood stated.
She also mentioned that all the objections raised by the prosecution have been addressed before submitting the case documents to the court.
The former prime minister, who was ousted through a parliamentary vote last year, underwent questioning by a special Joint Investigation Team (JIT) tasked with probing the May 9 rampage across the country. This investigation was authorized by an anti-terrorism court (ATC).
Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Attock jail in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with several PTI leaders, is facing multiple allegations related to the violence that followed his arrest on May 9.
The riots resulted in the deaths of at least eight people and numerous injuries, leading to the arrest of thousands of PTI workers and supporters by authorities. Many party members and senior leaders were detained for their involvement in violent activities and attacks on military installations.
During the protests, the rioters targeted both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 as a “Black Day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
To investigate Imran Khan’s role in the ensuing violence, the police added charges of incitement to mutiny and an attempt to wage war, among others, to the case diary on August 18. Subsequently, they sought permission from the anti-terrorism court to investigate the PTI chief.
Judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar of the court granted the police’s request.
Other offenses included in the charges are 505 (Statements conducive to public mischief), 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups, etc.), 153-B (Inducing students, etc., to take part in political activity), 146 (Rioting), 131 (Abetting mutiny or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor, or airman from his duty), 121 (Waging or attempting to wage war or abetting the waging of war against Pakistan), 121-A (Conspiracy to commit offenses punishable by Section 121), 120-A (Definition of criminal conspiracy), 120-B (Punishment for criminal conspiracy), and 107 (Abetment of a thing).
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