Police lodge FIR against 500 persons in connection with Sargodha violence

As many as 500 unidentified people, including dozens of women, have been nominated in the FIR registered following the acts of vandalism, arson and lynching of a man by a mob in Sargodha last night for allegedly committing blasphemy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

Police have said that over 40 women had also been nominated in the case registered under terrorism-related sections for inciting people to violence.

The Force has informed that already it has taken 28 persons into custody.

Police officials have said that the main suspect in the case is already in their custody and a case has been registered against him.

Security is on a high alert across the district as additional police contingents have been deployed to avert any unpleasant incident, they have said, adding cops have also taken positions outside churches, especially in Mujahid Colony where the incident had taken place.  

An angry mob subjected a Christian shoe factory owner, Sultan Masih, to extreme torture in Mujahid Colony in Sargodha on Saturday holding him responsible for burning some pages on which Quranic verses were written. His factory was also put on fire.

However, timely intervention by police teams, under the supervision of senior officers, averted what could lead to an unfortunate situation. 

According to reports, Sultan Masih fled from the spot and took refuge in his home but mobsters chased him, pelted his house with stones and tortured Naveed, the father of the accused, whose condition is stated to be critical.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concerns over the incident and demanded police bring to book the culprits.

Taking to X, it said the HRCP is seriously concerned by the unfolding situation in Sargodha where the Christian community in Gillwala village is reportedly at grave risk to their lives at the hands of charged mobs.

Police arrested more than a dozen mobsters and rushed the victims to hospital. According to a media report, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar said that at least 15 suspects were arrested after two Christian families were rescued.

Sargodha District Police Officer (DPO) Asad Ejaz Malhi said that the incident stemmed from alleged desecration, but emphasized that a large police contingent was deployed and no fatalities were reported.

“When police arrived, the mob had gathered outside the houses. Officers cordoned off the area and safely evacuated all residents,” Malhi said, adding that additional police units were stationed throughout the city to ensure the safety of the Christian community.

“The police peacefully dispersed the crowd,” he added. Social media footage depicted a mob surrounding a bloodied man and others, including teenagers, wrecking furniture. Another video showed a large blaze outside a house. DPO Malhi claimed they were “fake videos”, insisting no one was injured.