KARACHI: Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against more than a dozen lawyers following the physical assault of YouTuber Rajab Butt during a court appearance at Karachi City Courts on Monday, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred when Butt appeared before a sessions court to seek bail in a case registered against him under Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. During the hearing, Butt was allegedly attacked by a group of lawyers inside the court premises, triggering chaos and drawing widespread attention on social media after videos of the incident circulated online.
According to the FIR, which was registered on the complaint of Butt’s counsel, Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, the accused include Advocate Riaz Ali Solangi, Advocate Abdul Fatah, and 15 to 20 unidentified lawyers. Solangi is also the complainant in the blasphemy-related case against Butt.
The FIR has been lodged under multiple sections of the PPC, including Section 147 (rioting), Section 148 (rioting while armed with a deadly weapon), Section 382 (theft after preparation for causing harm), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 337-A (causing injuries).
In his complaint, Ashfaq stated that Butt arrived at the City Courts around 9am for his bail hearing. He alleged that near the West building of the court complex, the named lawyers and others attacked his client, beating him and causing injuries. Ashfaq further claimed that he and other members of his legal team were also assaulted during the incident.
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The complainant further alleged that Butt was carrying a bag containing Rs300,000 at the time, which was snatched during the attack. While the bag was later returned, Ashfaq said the cash was missing. He also alleged that Butt was forcibly taken to the court of an additional district and sessions judge, where threats to his life were made.
Complainant, who is also Butt’s counsel, alleges that a bag containing Rs300,000 was snatched from his client, which was missing when the bag was later returned. https://t.co/z8N9A3FINy
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 30, 2025
Videos shared online showed Butt moving through a crowd with his shirt torn, as well as footage of him walking alongside a group of lawyers chanting slogans in support of the Karachi Bar Association. TikToker Nadeem Mubarak, also known as Nani Wala, was also present at the court and appeared in one of the videos.
South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza told Dawn that no arrests had been made so far and that investigations were under way.
Advocate Solangi, speaking to Dawn on Monday, claimed the altercation stemmed from a vlog allegedly posted by Butt after he obtained interim bail on December 20, in which inappropriate language was used against lawyers. He said Butt later apologised in the Karachi Bar Association committee room.
The incident has raised concerns over security and conduct within court premises, with lawyers and observers calling for accountability and restraint to uphold the dignity of the legal system.
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