Karachi police have registered a fresh first information report against several lawyers for allegedly assaulting a station house officer at the City Courts police station, following an earlier case linked to the assault of YouTuber Rajab Butt. The development emerged on Wednesday, a day after tensions escalated between lawyers and police over the registration of multiple FIRs.
The new FIR was lodged on the complaint of City Courts SHO Jahangir Bhutto, who alleged that a group of lawyers attacked and threatened him after police registered a case against some of them for roughing up the YouTuber during a court appearance earlier this week. The FIR invokes multiple provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, including sections related to rioting, assault on a public servant, criminal intimidation, intentional insult, and obstructing official duties.
According to the SHO’s statement, the incident occurred on December 30 when he received information during routine patrolling that around 40 to 50 lawyers had forcibly entered the Risala police station, which was temporarily functioning at the City Courts police station. He claimed the group was led by Advocate Abdul Fatah Chandio, Advocate Abdul Wahab Rajper, and Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi and was creating disorder while demanding the registration of a case against Rajab Butt and his lawyer.
Allegations of violence and threats
SHO Bhutto said that when he reached the police station around 2pm, the lawyers confronted him over the FIR already registered against them. He alleged that they demanded he register a counter-case against Butt and his counsel. When he explained that a case had already been registered in accordance with the law, the situation allegedly escalated.
The SHO stated that the lawyers verbally abused him and then physically assaulted him by kicking and punching. He further alleged that police staff intervened and managed to rescue him, after which the lawyers left the premises. However, as they marched out, they allegedly chanted slogans and issued death threats against him.
The FIR names Chandio, Rajper, and Solangi, along with 40 to 50 unidentified individuals. Bhutto maintained that the accused obstructed him from performing his official duties, assaulted him, and attempted to intimidate him.
Background of the dispute
The confrontation follows an earlier FIR registered against more than a dozen lawyers after YouTuber Rajab Butt was allegedly assaulted during a court appearance on Monday. That FIR, lodged on the complaint of Butt’s lawyer, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, accused Advocate Solangi, Advocate Abdul Fatah Chandio, and 15 to 20 others of rioting, criminal intimidation, causing injuries, and theft.
Ashfaq stated that Butt had arrived at City Courts around 9am to seek bail when a group of lawyers allegedly attacked him near the West building, causing injuries to Butt and members of his legal team. He also claimed that attackers snatched a bag containing Rs300,000 from Butt, which was later returned without the cash.
Advocate Solangi, however, denied wrongdoing and said the YouTuber had previously uploaded a vlog using inappropriate language against Karachi lawyers. He claimed Butt later apologised following the scuffle.
As investigations continue into both FIRs, the incidents have raised concerns about security, conduct, and rule of law within court premises.
