The Lahore High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition filed by a citizen who requested permission to consume poison in a public place.

In his plea, the petitioner said that he would not die even after using the toxic material.

Sarwar Taj, a resident of Mozang, argued that he had divine knowledge and would consume poison as he believed he would not die of poisoning.

LHC’s Justice Raheel Kamran inquired on how the court could allow him to do so and remarked that the proposed action was meant to get cheap publicity.

The petitioner responded by saying that he did not desire fame and he had complete faith in Allah. Taj requested the court to allow him to do the experiment before the public at Mochi Gate in Lahore.

Justice Kamran said that suicide was haram (forbidden in Islam) and the petitioner was seeking court permission for a haram act.

The court also noted the verdicts of India’s top court after citizens suffering from cancer sought authorisation to commit suicide.

The court observed that it could not allow an illegal act and the petitioner was free to do so; however, legal proceedings will be initiated against him after he carries out an illegal act.

Justice Kamran while reserving the verdict on the maintainability observed that the petitioner was only wasting the court’s time.