A civil court in Islamabad has acquitted Dr. Mahrang Baloch and 85 others named in an FIR registered during the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) long march against ‘Baloch Genocide’ last year. The FIR had been lodged at Tarnol Police Station, Islamabad.
The Islamabad Federal Police had filed two FIRs against participants of the long march — one at Tarnol Police Station and another at Kohsar Police Station. The FIRs, registered in December 2023, named a total of 282 individuals. Among them, 197 were named in the Kohsar FIR, while 85 individuals, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, were named in the Tarnol FIR.
The charges against the accused included slogans against the government, the state, and the armed forces, blocking roads, inciting riots, and disrupting public life.
Recently, the Judicial Magistrate (West) acquitted the 85 participants named in the Tarnol FIR, citing insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. The court found that the prosecution failed to provide any private witnesses or video evidence to corroborate the claims, despite the incident taking place in a public area. The complainant, a sub-inspector stationed at Tarnol Police Station, had merely stated allegations without presenting supporting evidence.
The court’s decision noted that, under Section 249-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, the lack of substantial evidence warranted the dismissal of charges. Consequently, the bail for all accused was canceled, and the case was closed.
Defense lawyer Habib Karim Baloch revealed that a separate FIR at Kohsar Police Station, naming 197 individuals, was also dismissed by Judicial Magistrate Shehzad Khan.
Background of the BYC Long March
The BYC long march began on December 6, 2023, in Turbat, Balochistan, as a protest against the alleged extrajudicial killing of a young Baloch man, Balaach Baloch, reportedly killed while in the custody of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The march culminated in Islamabad on December 20, 2023.
The protest included families of missing persons — women, children, and the elderly — who traveled to demand justice. Upon reaching Islamabad, the marchers were met with heavy-handed action by the police at Chungi No. 26. Law enforcement used water cannons, batons, and tear gas against the demonstrators, resulting in numerous arrests.
Subsequently, BYC established a protest camp outside the National Press Club in Islamabad. However, police continued to use force against the demonstrators, filing FIRs and arresting participants. Those detained were later released on bail.
The month-long protest ended on January 23, 2024, with the BYC dismantling the camp and returning to Balochistan.