KARACHI, Oct 8: Police informed on Monday an anti-terrorism court that nine suspects were released for lack of evidence in cases pertaining to the Sept 21 violence.

Asad Baloch, Azeem, Saqib, Abid, Irfan, Shahrukh, Mohammad Nawaz, Adnan, Mohammad Shakeel and Dilnawaz were detained for allegedly torching police vans, banks, food outlets, rioting, attacking policemen and destroying public and private properties around the PIDC traffic intersection during a rally against a hate film. Dilnawaz was earlier released for lack of evidence.

Investigation officers Mohammad Sami and Nazeer Hussain submitted reports under Section 497(2) of the criminal procedure code that during the course of investigation no evidence was found against the suspects while the witnesses had also not identified them.

The suspects were booked under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon) and 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) 324 (attempted  murder), 353 (criminal assault to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage etc.) and 34 (common intention) of the PPC read with Section 7 of Anti-terrorism Act at the Civil Lines police station.—Staff Reporter