LAHORE: ATC Judge Gujranwala Natasha Naseem announced on Monday (18th of April, 202) decision apropos lynching of Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana, the Sialkot-based SriLankan export manager of Rajco Industries.
According to the judgment 6 of those (Taimoor, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Irshad, Ali Husnain, Abu Talha, Muhammad Humair) who were involved in the lynching would face the gallows.
Nine (Rohail Amjad, Ihtesham Zaib, Imran Riaz, Sajid Ameen, Zaigham Mehdi, Ali Hamza, Luqman Haider, Abdul Saboor ) were given life imprisonment.
Seventy-two others, who participated in the crime of lynching, have been incarcerated for 2 years each. Ali Asghar was handed over 5 years imprisonment while Bilal was declared innocent.
It may be recalled here that a mob tortured to death Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana in Sialkot on 3rd of December, 2021, before burning his body over alleged blasphemy.
On 12th day of March, 2022 the ATC had framed charges on 89 suspects (including nine juveniles). The trial proceedings were carried out at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Punjab Prosecution Department Secretary Nadeem Sarwar while talking to the Media here told that forensic, audio and video evidence were also utilized: “The prosecution team presented a total of 43 witnesses in order to prove the crime against suspects…
“In less than a month, the prosecution completed the testimonies of witnesses. After that, the court gave them full chance to defend themselves. Today, the ATC Gujranwala, upon the crime being proven, has punished 88 accused while one has been acquitted.
“This is a very good day as the law punished those who took away an innocent life. It is now hoped that the elements spreading religious extremism will be dealt in the same manner.”
Earlier, Prime Minister of SriLanka Mahinda Rajapaksa stated: “Shocking to see the brutal and fatal attack on Priyantha Diyawadana by extremist mobs in Pakistan. My heart goes out to his wife and family. SriLanka and her people are confident that PM Imran Khan will keep to his commitment to bring all those involved to justice.”
The SriLankan parliament also condemned the lynching during its session. Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated: “The government wishes to express its condolence over the death of Priyantha Kumara Diyawadana, a Sri Lankan University degree holder and a manager at a factory in Pakistan, who was the victim of an attack carried out by extremists regardless of territorial boundaries. Further, the government strongly condemns the inhumane attack that took the world by surprise,”
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while condemning the lynching of SriLankan manager, maintained that such extrajudicial vigilantism could not be condoned at any cost. He further directed all-out support to the civil administration to nab the perpetrators.
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