Pakistan court rejects suspect’s bail plea in biker assault case despite victim's pardon

A court in Pakistan's Karachi rejected the bail applications of two suspects on Wednesday in the DHA biker assault case, despite the victim telling the court he no longer wished to pursue legal action.

Additional District and Sessions Judge South Abdul Zahoor Chandio ruled against the bail pleas of Salman Farooqui and Owais Hashmi, both of whom were named in a case involving the violent assault of a young man, Sudheer, in the upscale Defense Housing Authority (DHA) area.

The judge delivered the verdict after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, and despite Sudheer appearing in court earlier to say he had pardoned the attackers.

“It was my fault. My motorcycle collided with their car,” Sudheer had said. “I don’t want to pursue the case. I have forgiven them.”

He also told the court he had no objection to whatever decision was made.

However, the court cited the serious nature of the allegations — including threats, assault, and public humiliation of a woman — in rejecting the bail requests.

The case

On June 1, a biker was reportedly assaulted after a minor collision with a vehicle in DHA’s Khayaban-e-Ittehad area.

Video footage of the assault, which showed the biker being repeatedly slapped while his sister pleaded for mercy, went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.

Following the public backlash, police launched an investigation and arrested Farooqui using geo-fencing and other technical methods. His associate, Hashmi, was also taken into custody. During an initial raid on Farooqui’s residence, two household staffers — a driver and security guard — were detained for questioning.

Prosecutor Irfana Qadri had also opposed the bail during court proceedings, arguing that the suspects had threatened the victim and humiliated a woman in public — offenses that are non-bailable under Pakistani law.

“These are not minor offenses,” Qadri said. “The accused used force, issued threats, and publicly disgraced a woman. These are serious charges under the law.”