ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday acquitted Bureau Chief of BOL TV, Siddique Jan, who was apprehended two days ago in connection with the violence and rioting that erupted outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) when former premier Imran Khan attended a hearing related to the Toshakhana case.
صدیق جان کو رہائی مبارک، حق جیت گیا، باطل ہار گیا pic.twitter.com/BnEPdwwsSx
— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) March 22, 2023
It may be recalled that Siddique Jan, the Islamabad bureau chief of BOL TV, was picked up from his office by the police on Monday night and taken away in a private vehicle to an undisclosed location.
Also read: Bol News’ journalist Siddique Jan arrested in Islamabad
Running from pillar to post, his colleagues and friends couldn’t locate him and initially, Islamabad Police too said they had no information about him.
However, hours later, Islamabad police took to Twitter and said Jan had been arrested in connection with a case filed at the CTD Police Station regarding the FJC “arson and siege”.
صدیق جان ولد جان محمد کو اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس نے تھانہ سی ٹی ڈی کے مقدمہ 03/23 میں گرفتار کیا۔
18 مارچ جوڈیشل کمپلیکس جلاؤ گھیراؤ کے واقعات کے تناظر میں گرفتار کیا گیا۔ صدیق جان کو وقت پر عدالت میں پیش کردیا جائے گا۔#ICTP
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 21, 2023
On Tuesday (yesterday) the ATC granted police one-day physical remand of Siddique Jan, after which he was produced today, where police sought another remand of 5 days, and the Investigation Officer recommended to set free Idrees Chachar, who was also picked up along with Jan on Monday.
Also read: Police say Siddique Jan was arrested in Judicial Complex riot case
Reacting to Police demand, Judge Jawad Abbas remarked that Siddique Jan was a journalist and not a terrorist.
After hearing arguments, the ATC Judge rejected Police request for further remand and discharged case against Siddique Jan and Idress Chachar.
