Video: Rajab Butt attacked at Karachi City Court after hearing

WEB DESK: Popular YouTuber Rajab Butt was assaulted by a group of lawyers at Karachi’s City Court on Monday, shortly after appearing before a court in a blasphemy-related case, according to his legal team and eyewitnesses.

The incident occurred following a hearing before an additional district and sessions judge, who took up Butt’s bail application but adjourned the matter without issuing any formal order. Soon after the proceedings concluded, tensions flared within the court premises, culminating in a physical attack on the YouTuber.

Scuffle erupts after court appearance

Eyewitnesses said an exchange of words broke out between Butt and several lawyers moments after the hearing. The verbal argument quickly escalated, leading to a scuffle in which Butt was allegedly beaten.

His defence lawyers attempted to intervene and shield him from the attack. Butt was eventually escorted out of the City Court amid heightened commotion. Images and videos circulating on social media later showed him leaving the premises surrounded by his legal counsel.

Confirming the incident, Butt’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, said the attack took place in full view of his legal team. In a post on X, he alleged that a group of lawyers assaulted his client despite repeated attempts to stop the violence, leaving Butt injured.

Lawyers cite online remarks

Some of the lawyers involved linked the confrontation to remarks Butt allegedly made online following an earlier court appearance. They claimed that Butt had questioned whether the complainant in the case was actually a lawyer and had also called for legal action against members of the legal fraternity.

According to these lawyers, Butt was later asked to give an assurance that he would refrain from making such statements in the future. Others, however, issued stern warnings, suggesting that similar consequences would follow for anyone who spoke against lawyers. Police officials were not immediately available to clarify whether any case had been registered or disciplinary action initiated in connection with the assault.

The court has fixed January 13 for the next hearing on Butt’s bail application. Meanwhile, the case registered against him at Haidri police station remains under investigation.

Background of the controversy

Rajab Butt has been facing legal scrutiny since earlier this year after launching a perfume branded “295”, a reference to Section 295 of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The branding sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing him of mocking religious legislation.

An FIR was subsequently lodged against Butt under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to insulting religious beliefs. The complaint was filed by a leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.

In March 2025, Butt released an apology video from Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah while performing Umrah. He denied any deliberate wrongdoing, said the controversial content had been misunderstood, announced the discontinuation of the perfume, and appealed for reconsideration of the charges.

If convicted, Butt could face a prison term of up to 10 years under the applicable laws.