IHC grants protective bail to TikToker booked following stampede at wedding event

Islamabad High Court (IHC) extended protective bail to TikToker Muhammad Ansar Jatt, also known as "Mr Pattlo," following a tragic stampede that occurred at his mehndi event in Sialkot. The incident claimed the lives of two individuals and injured 18 others. Jatt had organized the mehndi and prize-distribution ceremony at the Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road for Friday night, but upon the opening of the stadium gates, a stampede ensued when thousands gathered.

Subsequently, a first information report (FIR) was filed on October 31 at the Motra Police Station, naming Jatt, his brother, the ground owner, six others, and between 40-45 unidentified security guards.

On Tuesday, IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar granted Jatt protective bail until November 10, enabling him to avoid arrest while he sought legal redress from the appropriate court. Jatt, who appeared before the court in a wheelchair, had initially filed a petition requesting the court's intervention to prevent his arrest prior to reaching the competent jurisdiction.

The petition highlighted that Jatt was named in the FIR under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including murder, mischief, rioting, unlawful assembly, and abetment, all of which were alleged to have been committed during the stampede.

Advocates Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi and Barrister Raja Ali Abbas Jalap filed the petition on Jatt's behalf, arguing that the FIR was registered outside the IHC's jurisdiction. They maintained that the sole purpose of seeking protective bail was to allow Jatt to safely reach the court where the case was registered without being arrested on the way.

They further emphasized that the merits of the case would not be examined at this stage, as the primary concern was enabling Jatt to approach the relevant court without arrest. The petition also contended that the allegations against Jatt were "false, frivolous, and baseless," noting that he had no prior criminal record and no other petition seeking the same relief had been filed before any other court.

After considering the arguments presented, Justice Dogar granted the protective bail, acknowledging its temporary and limited nature. He instructed Jatt to surrender before the appropriate forum within the given timeframe. Simultaneously, Sialkot police reported that they had arrested six suspects related to the incident, with Jatt having fled the scene immediately afterward.

The event organizers were accused of violating permit conditions and safety SOPs, which contributed to the stampede triggered by a simultaneous entry of attendees through the stadium gates. The Sialkot DPO stated that legal action would be taken against all responsible parties without discrimination.