Court cancels bail of YouTuber Rajab Butt over his absence

KARACHI: A sessions court on Friday recalled the interim bail granted earlier to YouTuber Rajab Butt over non-prosecution in a case pertaining to allegedly “hurting religious sentiments”.

Lawyer Riaz Ali Solangi had lodged a complaint against the YouTuber in January 2025 at the Hyderi Market police station, under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

At the outset of the hearing for confirmation or otherwise of the interim bail, counsel for the YouTuber filed an application before the additional district and sessions judge (Central) for condonation of absence, seeking exemption for Butt from personal appearance on medical grounds.

After hearing the defence counsel and the complainant who opposed the application, the court dismissed the plea and recalled its Dec 19, 2025 order granting interim bail.

“The applicant was required to ensure his presence before the court, but he has failed to do so without sufficient cause. Consequently, the instant bail before application is dismissed for non-prosecution,” the court order said.

The case is about a viral video of the YouTuber in which he was, according to the complainant, allegedly “disrespecting” prayer (Namaz).

It is pertinent to mention that as the video went viral on social media, Butt posted videos on his official Facebook page in which he was seen sitting with scholars from different schools of thought.

In the three-part video, he had issued an apology, stating that if anyone’s feelings were hurt by his unintentional actions, he deeply regretted it.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026