Counsel nominates two advocates, 20 others; claims Rs300,000 stolen during court premises assault
Rajab Butt being escorted out by his lawyers after the assault. Source: The Express Tribune
A case has been registered after YouTuber Rajab Butt was allegedly attacked and robbed during his appearance at Karachi’s City Courts on Monday. The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Butt’s counsel, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, against Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi, Advocate Abdul Fatah and 15 to 20 other lawyers.
According to the FIR, Advocate Riaz is the complainant in an earlier case, No. 14/2025, which was registered against Butt at Haidri Police Station under Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code. The provision pertains to offences related to outraging religious sentiments.
The FIR states that on December 29, when Butt arrived at City Court West for a hearing, Riaz, Fatah and their associates allegedly attacked him, causing injuries. The lawyers also allegedly threatened and harassed Ashfaq and other members of his legal team.
Read: YouTuber Rajab Butt assaulted by lawyers at Karachi City Court
The FIR further states that Butt was carrying a bag containing Rs300,000, which was allegedly snatched during the incident. Although Riaz later returned the bag, the cash was reportedly missing.
Ashfaq claimed that after the assault, the lawyers forcibly took Butt before the court, where he was allegedly subjected to further threats.
City Court police have registered the case under Sections 147, 148, 382, 506 and 337-A(1) of the PPC. The investigation has been handed over to the Kharadar Division Police.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the incident, Ashfaq said that “a few lawyers attacked Rajab Butt with lethal intent” during the court appearance, adding that his client sustained injuries.
According to people present at the court, an exchange of words took place between Butt and several lawyers after the hearing, which escalated into a scuffle, leading to the alleged assault.
