The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday granted protective bail to TikToker Muhammad Ansar Jatt, known as Mr Patlo, until November 10, allowing him to avoid arrest while he approaches the court where a stampede at his Sialkot event is being prosecuted.
The order follows a deadly crush at a mehndi and prize-distribution ceremony Jatt announced at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road in Sialkot on Friday night. With hundreds gathered, two people were killed and 18 injured when stadium gates opened, according to the initial police report.
FIR names Jatt, brother, and 40-45 security guards
A first information report was registered on October 31 at the Motra police station, naming Jatt, his brother, the owner of Faraz Cricket Ground, six others, and 40-45 unidentified security guards. Business Recorder reported the FIR invokes sections 322, 440, 431, 148, 149, 188 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, read with Section 16 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar grants temporary relief
IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar approved the protective bail after Jatt surrendered before the court in a wheelchair. Advocates Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi and Barrister Raja Ali Abbas Jalap filed the petition, arguing the FIR lay outside the IHC’s territorial jurisdiction and that protection was needed so Jatt could safely reach the Sialkot court to seek pre-arrest bail.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted protective bail to TikToker Muhammad Ansar Jatt, popularly known as Mr Pattlo, in a case linked to a stampede at his mehndi event in Sialkot that left one person dead and more than a dozen injur*ed. Videos circulating on social media… pic.twitter.com/wJ05SKdJFN
The petition stated that without such protection, the right to seek pre-arrest bail before a Sialkot court would be rendered illusory. Justice Dogar noted the temporary and limited nature of the relief, directing Jatt to surrender before the appropriate forum by November 10.
Did You Know? The case against Jatt includes Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which covers qatl-i-khata (causing death by negligence), alongside charges for rioting, unlawful assembly and disobeying public orders, according to Business Recorder.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted protective bail to TikToker Ansar Mahmood, popularly known as Mr Pattlo, in a case registered against him in Sialkot following a deadly stampede at his wedding celebrations. Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar approved the… pic.twitter.com/dX4UGshHSA
Police arrest six; loudspeaker call cited as trigger
Sialkot police said Sunday they had arrested six suspects involved in managing the event. District Police Officer Dost Muhammad confirmed the six were connected to organizing the ceremony, where organizers had advertised a lucky draw featuring prizes such as motorcycles, a car and other valuable items via social media.
According to the DPO, an announcement over loudspeakers instructed all attendees to enter the grounds simultaneously, triggering the stampede. He stated organizers violated permit terms and safety standard operating procedures, and the incident disrupted traffic on the main Daska-Sialkot Road.
Outlets differ on death toll; Jatt’s social reach noted
Arab News reported one person killed and 18 injured, citing a police statement, while Dawn and Business Recorder recorded two deaths. Arab News also noted Jatt has over 814,000 followers on TikTok and more than 33.7 million likes on the platform.
Defense says NOC obtained and Jatt was hospitalized
Dunya News reported that Barrister Qasim Nawaz argued a formal no-objection certificate had been obtained for the ceremony and that maintaining law and order was the administration’s responsibility. The lawyer added that Jatt was not present at the scene, having been undergoing hospital treatment, and expressed fear his client could be targeted in a police encounter.
The Nation reported that Jatt appeared before the Chief Justice in chambers at around 1:40 pm Tuesday and was granted bail five minutes later. When asked if he regretted his actions, Jatt remained silent and left without comment. Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari said an NOC had been issued but external security was the administration’s responsibility while internal arrangements fell to the organizers.
By granting it, the IHC ensured Jatt could travel to Sialkot to seek pre-arrest bail without being detained en route, but the court explicitly avoided examining the merits of the stampede case, leaving the question of criminal liability for the Sialkot court to decide.
🚨🚨 IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar approved the protective — also known as transitory — bail for the TikToker until Nov 10, allowing him to avoid arrest while he approaches the relevant court to seek legal remedy. He surrendered before the court in a wheelchair.…
Jatt must appear before Sialkot court by November 10
The protective bail is conditional: Jatt must use the window to approach the court of competent jurisdiction in Sialkot to seek legal remedy before the November 10 deadline. Police investigation and raid operations to apprehend remaining suspects could continue in parallel, according to Sialkot police statements.
Court sets surrender deadline for Patlo
When must Mr Patlo appear before the relevant court?
The Islamabad High Court granted protective bail until November 10, directing him to surrender before the appropriate forum in Sialkot by that date.
How many people were arrested in connection with the stampede?
Sialkot police said they arrested six suspects on Sunday who were involved in managing the event at Faraz Cricket Ground.
What prizes were advertised for the lucky draw?
Organizers advertised motorcycles, a car and other valuable items through social media to attract attendees to the mehndi ceremony.
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