Pak court sentences 22 temple vandals to 5 yrs prison

Lahore: In a case of an alleged attack on a Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) at least 22 people to five years imprisonment, IANS reported.

The accused allegedly attacked a Ganesha temple at Bhong city of Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab using sticks, bamboo and weapons in July last year.

As per the case, the accused attacked the security guard and vandalised idols, walls, doors and electric fittings. They also put a part of the temple to fire, amounting to sacrilege. The incident was allegedly a response to the desecration of a Muslim seminary by an eight-year-old Hindu boy.

In the case, 84 suspects were taken into custody in September last year, following which a case was filed in the ATC in Bahawalpur of Punjab province.

"The judge handed down imprisonment of five years each to at least 22 suspects while acquitting the remaining 62 people on the benefit of the doubt," a court official confirmed.

The official added that the prosecution had submitted relevant evidence in the form of footage and witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government has demanded one million rupees from the accused on the basis of court orders. The government also informed about an immediate restoration of the vandalised temple at the government's expense.

The former Pakistan Chief Justice, Gulzar Ahmed, had taken notice of the incident and regretted that vandalism of the Ganesh temple had brought shame to the country.

Ex-Pakistan Chief Justice opined that the incident has brought shame to the country and also expressed his disappointment in the local police. According to him, the police did nothing to stop the mob who attacked the temple. "Imagine what mental agony the desecration incident had brought to the members of the Hindu community," he said.