LAHORE – Seasoned journalist and host of a private news channel program Asad Kharal has been sent to jail on judicial remand for attacking law enforcers in the provincial capital.
Local media reported the accused was produced before a duty magistrate at Model Town Courts on the expiry of his physical remand term.
During the hearing, a counsel for the journalist, who owned a lewd reputation, opposed the remand plea, saying that the cops had already been given a remand of around a week time. Later, the court sent him to jail on judicial remand till August 10 and ordered him to produce him on expiry of the remand.
According to the FIR lodged on the complaint of head constable Ashfaq Ahmad, it all started when Kharal allegedly assaulted him outside his residence. He was provided police personnel on a court order in 2017. The FIR was lodged under multiple charges including 392, 353, and 186 of the PPC [Section 392 of the PPC is for committing robbery].
A statement of police official cited that at least three sub-machine guns, hundreds of bullets, 41, a few magazines, and four wireless sets were recovered from his possession.
The complainants alleged him for keeping them hostage in his residence. It further added that Kharal also attempted to snatch the weapons of deployed cops; furthermore, he also opened fire on them during the brawl which has injured constable Idrees.
The sections included 353 of PPC , for assault or act to deter a public servant from discharge his duty, 342 (to detain a person), 324 (attempted murder), and section 186 of PPC (obstructing a public servant from discharge of public function). As per the FIR, the accused also attacked them and tore their uniforms.
Sharing further details about the incident, the complainant mentioned that the anchorperson snatched his official rifle and pointed it at him and the ASP, Mohammad Shoaib who rushed to the site along with armed personnel.
The FIR further quoted him saying that Kharal locked the room from inside, and took them hostage, and opened straight fire on him and the ASP. The cop said he and ASP Shaoib jumped and laid down to dodge the bullets and we managed to unlock the door and rushed outside. Following our escape, the senior journalist chased us and resorted to firing outside his residence, Ashfaq added.
In the meanwhile, Kharal, denies allegations saying he was skeptical about the deployed cops at his residence. According to a report, Kharal also sent a voice message to Lahore CCPO in which he shared about the suspected movement of some unknown persons outside his house.
Meanwhile, a senior official of Lahore police while speaking with a media outlet mentioned that the constables deputed for the security of Karal alarmed his senior officers about the insulting behavior of journalist.
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