After Shahrez, Imran Khan's nephew Shershah gets bail in May 9 riots case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Thursday approved the bail of PTI founder Imran Khan’s nephew, Shershah Khan, in a case pertaining to the Jinnah House attack during May 9, 2023 riots.

Shershah, the son of Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, was taken into custody by Lahore police on August 22 from outside his residence. He was initially remanded in police custody for five days and then was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

The bail order came a day after his brother, triathlete Shahrez Khan, was also granted bail in a similar case. Shahrez had been arrested on August 21, remanded to police for eight days, and later sent to jail before securing release on bail.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill presided over Thursday’s hearing, where Advocate Rana Mudassar Umer represented Shershah.

Also Read: PTI founder’s nephew Shahrez Khan gets bail

The defence argued that the prosecution had yet to produce the case record related to allegations against Shershah. “No one knows when the trial will begin. Therefore, the suspect cannot be kept in jail for an unlimited period,” Umer contended, insisting that there was “no evidence” on record against his client.

He maintained that Shershah had not participated in any riots and pointed out that other suspects facing more serious allegations had already been granted bail. “Someone cannot be booked in a case just based on one suspect’s identification of him,” the lawyer argued.

Judge Gill subsequently allowed Shershah’s bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000 and directed his release if he was not wanted in any other case.