ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday restored the terrorism charges against policemen allegedly involved in killing of Osama Satti and referred the case to the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC).

ATC Judge Shahrukh Arjumand in April this year accepted the applications of detained cops seeking deletion of clauses of Anti-Terrorism Act from the FIR registered against them in connection with Satti’s murder and remanded the case to the session court.

The deceased father challenged ATC’s order before Islamabad High Court (IHC).

IHC division bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Babar Sattar deciding the appeal of Satti’s father set aside the ATC’s order.

The bench observed that ATC could pass an order on ATA’s provisions after examining the evidence.

During the course of arguments, Advocate General Islamabad Niazullah Khan Niazi pointed out that the Supreme Court has explained that the terrorism related charges could be invoked when an offence terrorises the society.

He said the incident had shocked and terrorised the capital city since the police opened fire on an unarmed citizen.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2021