No evidence against YouTuber Rajab Butt in sexual assault case, Pakistani court told

A Pakistani court was informed on Monday that there was no evidence implicating popular YouTuber Rajab Butt in an alleged sexual assault case.

During a hearing at the Additional Sessions Court in Lahore, the investigating officer formally said that Butt was not guilty in the matter. In light of this statement, Butt’s lawyer requested that the interim bail application previously submitted be withdrawn, asserting his client’s innocence.

Presiding Judge Syed Najaf Haider Kazmi accepted the request and ordered the withdrawal of interim bail for four of the five accused in the case, including Rajab Butt. This effectively meant that those cleared would no longer be required to seek bail, as they were no longer facing charges.

However, the interim bail of one accused, Salman Haider, was extended until July 3, as investigations into his alleged involvement continue.

At a previous hearing, prosecutors had requested additional time to complete the investigation, prompting the court to extend Haider’s interim bail until June 23.

The complaint

The case stems from a complaint filed on June 10 by social media activist Ayesha Sharafat at the Nawab Town Police Station in Lahore. In the First Information Report (FIR), she named five individuals: Salman Haider, Rajab Butt, Maan Dogar, Jawad Haider, and Jahangir Butt.

According to the FIR, Ayesha alleged she met Salman Haider through social media and they frequently met at restaurants across Lahore. She claimed that Haider later invited her to a house in Bahria Orchard, where he drugged and raped her, filmed the assault, and used the video to blackmail her.

She further alleged that Haider showed the video to her sister, Palwasha. When the two women went to confront him at his residence, they reportedly encountered Rajab Butt, Maan Dogar, and Jawad Haider. The complaint states that the men locked them in a room, while Salman and Jahangir Butt were also present.

Ayesha claimed that Jawad Haider took their phones, reset them, and forced them to leave under threats.