The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted protective bail to TikToker Jatt, who was booked in connection with a stampede at a wedding-related event in Sialkot that left two people dead and 18 others injured.
Jatt had announced a mehndi ceremony and prize-distribution event at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road on Friday night. Hundreds of people gathered at the venue, and a stampede broke out when the stadium gates were opened, resulting in two deaths and 18 injuries.
Following the incident, a first information report (FIR) was registered at Motra Police Station on October 31. The case named Jatt, his brother, the owner of Faraz Cricket Ground, six other individuals and 40 to 45 unidentified security guards.
On Tuesday, IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar granted Jatt protective, or transitory, bail until November 10. The relief allows him to approach the court with jurisdiction over the case without facing arrest while travelling there. Jatt appeared before the court in a wheelchair.
The TikToker had filed a petition seeking protection from arrest until he could reach the competent court to pursue legal remedies. The petition was submitted through his lawyers, Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi and Barrister Raja Ali Abbas Jalap.
According to the petition, Jatt was nominated in the FIR under Sections 322, 440, 431, 148, 149, 188 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), along with Section 16 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.
The provisions relate to offences including causing death by negligence, mischief involving the risk of death or injury, damage to public infrastructure, rioting while armed with a deadly weapon, unlawful assembly, disobedience to a public servant’s order and abetment.
During the hearing, Jatt’s counsel argued that the FIR had been registered outside the IHC’s territorial jurisdiction. However, they maintained that protective bail was necessary to enable a person within one court’s jurisdiction to safely reach the court where the case had been registered without being arrested en route.
The petition stated that the merits of the case did not need to be examined at this stage. It further argued that denying protection would effectively prevent Jatt from seeking pre-arrest bail before the relevant court in Sialkot.
The petitioner also described the allegations against him as false and baseless, claiming that he had been implicated in the case without justification. His lawyers informed the court that he had no previous criminal record and had not approached any other court seeking the same relief.
After hearing the arguments, Justice Dogar granted protective bail, emphasising its temporary and limited nature and allowing Jatt time to approach the appropriate court.
Meanwhile, Sialkot police said on Sunday that six suspects had been arrested in connection with the stampede. Police alleged that Jatt had fled the venue immediately after the incident and said investigation and raid teams were working to apprehend him.
Sialkot District Police Officer Dost Muhammad confirmed that the six arrested individuals had been involved in managing the event.
According to the DPO, the organisers had promoted a lucky draw on social media, offering prizes including motorcycles, a car and other valuable items, which attracted a large crowd to the venue.
He said an announcement was made over the loudspeakers directing all attendees to enter the grounds simultaneously. The sudden movement of the crowd towards the stadium triggered the stampede.
The DPO further alleged that the organisers had violated the conditions of their event permit and established safety standard operating procedures (SOPs). The incident also disrupted traffic on the main Daska-Sialkot Road.
He said legal action would be taken against everyone found responsible, without discrimination.
