Overview
- All 12 accused were released on bonds of Rs 50,000 each with conditions requiring court attendance, cooperation with investigators, no contact with witnesses, phones kept on with location enabled, and no social‑media posts about the case.
- The case stems from a January 6–7 anti‑encroachment drive near the Faiz‑e‑Elahi mosque where police allege a crowd of 150–200 hurled stones and bottles, injuring six policemen including the station house officer.
- Prosecutors said drones and other cameras recorded the incident, yet the court noted no specific footage was shown that clearly and unmistakably identified any applicant as pelting stones or committing an overt act.
- The order referenced parity with a co‑accused granted bail earlier and stressed that pre‑trial detention is not punishment, with disputed identity and largely documentary evidence weighing against continued custody.
- The judge urged use of body‑worn cameras and well‑placed CCTV during sensitive operations to bolster transparency, as police have invoked attempt‑to‑murder and other charges with the investigation and trial to proceed.