Internet Desk: On a day when Virat Kohli and the Indian team will be changing swords against arch rivals Pakistan in the round robin league match of Asia Cup at Mirpur, a Pakistani court has granted bail to a young die-hard fan of ace Indian batsman after he spent more than a month behind bars over treason charges for hoisting the Indian tricolor atop his home.
The additional district and session’s court in Okara admitted bail plea of 22-year-old Umar Daraz, a tailor by profession who was arrested on January 25, from his home in Okara district, some 200 kilometres from here, in Punjab province.
Daraz, who hoisted the tricolor to show his love for the batsman, was accused of acting against Pakistan’s sovereignty and was facing up to 10 years in prison or fine or both.
Advocates Rizwan and Muhammad Yousaf applied for his bail with the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Asadullah Siraj after district court judge Anique Anwar rejected Darazs bail plea on February 18, notwithstanding a police clean chit.
Yesterday, after examining police and judicial case files and hearing arguments of both sides, the court admitted the plea and ordered him to furnish a surety bond worth Rs 50,000, the Dawn reported.
Daraz was arrested on a day when India beat Australia in a T20 match in which Kohli scored 90 runs and was adjudged man of the match. Police raided his home on a complaint that he hoisted the Indian flag on the rooftop of his house and seized the flag along with Kohlis posters and pictures.
A case under section 123-A of Pakistan Penal Code and 16 Maintenance of Public Order was registered against him. The section 123-A (acts of damaging the sovereignty of the country) carries maximum punishment of 10 years in jail or fine or both.
Courtesy: PTI