LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday granted protective bail to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Ali, the prime suspect in the Muzaffargarh rape and self-immolation case.
A division bench led by Justice Shahid Hameed Dar heard DSP Ali’s bail petition and granted protective bail till March 26, 2014.
DSP Asghar Ali pointed out that he had investigated the rape case on merit but the girl committed suicide. He said his name was included in the FIR due to political pressure and insisted that he had no role in the self-immolation of the teenager.
Ali contested that a case had been lodged under the anti-terrorism law while it is a proven case of suicide.
He accepted that he wanted to join the investigation to reveal the real facts, but due to strong apprehension of his arrest, he needed protective bail to reach the trial court.
A provincial law officer opposed the bail petition and argued that the case is pending in Multan and the accused DSP should approach the Lahore High Court Multan bench for the concession of bail.
After hearing the arguments, the court granted protective bail to DSP Ali till March 26, 2014, and instructed him to approach the trial court.