Exoneration of 26 suspects in Mashal Khan case challenged in high court

Dunya News

The development has come two weeks after ATC acquitted 26 suspects.

(Web Desk) – Brother of slain Mashal Khan has filed a plea with Peshawar High Court (PHC) challenging Haripur anti-terrorism court’s (ATC) verdict of exonerating 26 accused in the murder case.

The development has come two weeks after ATC sentenced one to capital punishment, five to 25 years imprisonment and exonerated 26 suspects.

During a media interaction after ATC delivered the verdict, Aimal Khan had said that the family would review the court order and announce a course-of-action.

ATC’s order delivered on February 7 stated about the acquitted persons: “They were not found to have played any overt act in the lynching of Mashal Khan whereas though identified in the videos/PFSA report, they could only be seen standing in the mob or making videos.”

Mashal Khan, a student with Abdul Wali Khan University was lynched by a mob of students after accusing him of blasphemy, which a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) posthumously reported was a false allegation.