A judicial magistrate in Lahore has indicted showbiz star Saba Qamar and singer Bilal Saeed in Wazir Khan Masjid sanctity case. Both the artists made objectionable videos/shooting at Masjid Wazir Khan in Lahore.
The singer appeared in the court along with his lawyer Barrister Hamid Leghari. Qamar, clad in a burqa, was there as well. The challan was submitted to the court by the prosecutor.
Both suspects, present in court, pleaded not guilty and decided to contest the trial.
The magistrate, Javeria Munir Bhatti, directed the prosecution to present its witnesses on Oct 14.
The Akbari Gate police registered a case against the duo under section 295 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) following a court’s direction to act on an application of a lawyer as per law and decide whether a cognizable offence was made out. The section deals with the offence of injuring or defiling a place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class.
The charges against the artists were that both the accused violated the sanctity of the mosque during the shooting of the film.
The court had earlier issued arrest warrants for the Baaghi star and the singer in the case. However, at the last hearing, the court had cancelled the arrest warrants and ordered the collection of security bonds of Rs 30,000 and ordered both the accused to appear in person. It may be recalled that in August last year, a video recording of a song, Qabool Hai by Saeedwent viral on social media in which the sanctity of the historic Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore was violated.
The video was widely condemned on social media, including social and religious circles. A case was registered against the actor and singer at Akbari police station in Lahore on the complaint of Farhat Manzoor Khan for violating the sanctity of the Wazir Khan Mosque.
