Around 44 suspects have been named in the first information report (FIR) for allegedly trying to lynch a Christian man in Punjab’s Sargodha over alleged desecration of the Holy Quran on Saturday.

The FIR, registered at the Urban Area Police Station, was registered under sections 324 (attempt to commit qatl-i-amd), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), and 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object).

The complaint also invoked Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) and 11WW (lynching) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

It added that the size of the mob increased with time after they failed to resolve the issue through dialogue with the police. Video clips showed police personnel standing between the angry mob and private properties.

The violence occurred in the city’s Mujahid Colony area. They were holding batons, bricks, and stones.

A lady officer at the site also tried to placate the protesters by addressing them through a megaphone, but they did not listen and several labourers gathered in the streets and roofs of the houses.

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The mob of 100 people had risen to 400 then, it said and added that they had torched a shoe factory owned by the victim.

The report said the mob also pelted stones at the ambulance, in which the victim was being taken to the hospital. The windows of the ambulance were broken.

It added that mobile recording and video footage would be used during the investigation.