Attempted Murder: Accused 9-Month Old Baby Goes Into Hiding

A nine month old baby arrested along with his father, grandfather by the police in Pakistan for attempted murder has been taken into hiding by his relatives.

The nine-month old baby, Mosa Khan, his father and grandfather were last week charged to court in the city of Lahore where the fingerprints of the baby were taken by a court official. But now the baby cannot be found as he has been taken into hiding.

The accused were charged with attempted murder, threatening police and interfering with state affairs.

Baby Mosa Khan and his father and grandfather were arrested  after a mob protesting against gas cuts and price increases stoned police and gas company workers trying to collect overdue bills.

The report lodged a complaint against the whole of Muhammad Yaseen’s family, which unilaterally included his nine-month-old grandson Mosa Khan who was brought with him to court.

At his first appearance in court last week, Mosa cried while his fingerprints were taken by a court official. Later, the baby sucked on a bottle of milk and tried to grab journalists’ microphones as his grandfather spoke to the media.

“Police are vindictive. Now they are trying to settle the issue on personal grounds, that’s why I sent my grandson to Faisalabad for protection,” the baby’s grandfather, Mr. Yasin said.

The baby is on bail and due to appear at the next hearing on 12 April but Mr. Yasin said he was not sure if he would take him to court for the case.

“There is immense pressure on me from various corners,” he added.

The assistant superintendent who filed the charges has since been removed from his position, Senior Superintendent of Police Rana Jabbar told The Times of India.

Mr. Jabbar said: “A nine month old can never commit such a crime. This incident took place due to sheer misunderstanding on the police’s part and was not done on purpose.”

Punjab’s Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has asked for clarification over the incident and demanded “stern action” against those who registered the case.