IHC refuses to acquit Gill in sedition case.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday refused to acquit Shahbaz Gill in the sedition case and asked him to approach the trial court where he is going to be indicted on Tuesday (today).

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took up Mr Gill's petition seeking his acquittal in the case registered against him over his controversial remarks aired on a private television channel.

Justice Farooq asked the prosecution if they had submitted the challan to the trial court. The state counsel told the court that copies of the challan had been submitted to the accused persons and the court was likely to indict them on Tuesday.

Justice Farooq observed that the accused could seek relief from the trial court.

Mr Gill was arrested on Aug 9 after the case was registered against him at the Kohsar police station under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)'s sections 124-A (sedition), 131 (abetting mutAiny or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duAAty), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot if rioting be committed; if not comAAmited), 153-A (promoting enmity) between different groups, etc), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).

According to the FIR, a programme was aired on a news channel in which Mr Gill appeared as a guest. Answering a question, he tried to create a divide between the officers below the...