Yoga Day violence: High Court upholds remand extension of Sheikh Nishan

High Court has reaffirmed Criminal Court’s decision to extended the remand of religious scholar, Al-Sheikh Adam Nishan, arrested in connection to the mob attack on the event held at the national football stadium on June 21, to mark World Yoga Day.

Sheikh Nishan was arrested in connection to the case on June 22. Initially remanded in custody for seven days – his remand was later on extended by 16 days on July 19.

Criminal Court’s decision to extend his remand was appealed to High Court. After their review of the appeal, the superior court concluded on Thursday that there was no ground to overturn the lower court’s decision.

High Court had made the decision with the consensus of all three judges who reviewed the appeal.

The three judges bench includes Judge Huzaifa Mohamed who chaired the bench, Judge Hathif Hilmy and Judge Hussain Shaheed.

Police said that Sheikh Nishan’s remand was extended because there was corroborative evidence against him.

In a statement released by Sheikh Nishan following the mob attack – he said that he decided to join the protest against Yoga Day event when he was given assurance that it would be carried out peacefully under his instructions. He detailed that some youths that joined the protest that became extremely angered had stormed the stadium against his instructions.

“When some of the youths that joined the protest began acting against our instructions out of anger – we tried to advise them, control them and move them back,” he had said.

Sheikh Nishan said that when the protest had gone out of control – he had announced its conclusion and left the scene.

The yoga day event, organized by the Indian Cultural Center and the Sports Ministry, had begun at 06:30 am on June 21, and was attended by dozens of participants, including foreign ambassadors and diplomats.

A mob of angry protestors had stormed the stadium, and threatened and assaulted some of the participants, and destroyed property. They were carrying flags containing verses from the Shahada.

Police said in an earlier statement the case was being investigated as a serious matter.