LONDON/ISLAMABAD : A court in Islamabad has approved the bail of popular TikToker and influencer Sandal Khattak in the Hareem Shah video leak case. Sandal, whose real name is Sandal Shamim, appeared before Judge Azam Khan of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Court.
Her lawyer, Barrister Musaddaq Barki, stated that his client had not received any notice from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after a case was registered against her by her former friend Hareem Shah, whose real name is Fizza Hussain.
Barki argued that the First Information Report (FIR) was one-sided and lacked any investigation. He emphasized that no evidence was found on Sandal’s mobile device or during the investigation. Additionally, he mentioned that TikTok rules prohibit the uploading of immoral videos, and the video in question was made with Hareem Shah’s consent, with Hareem herself appearing to be amused in the footage. Sandal Khattak denied any involvement in creating or spreading the video.
The judge acknowledged that Sandal had not received the FIA notice and stated that she was no longer required for further investigation. The judge also noted that keeping Sandal behind bars would serve no purpose as the forensic report was still pending. Consequently, the judge granted Sandal Khattak the right to post-arrest bail.
Sandal was arrested by the FIA on June 12 in connection with the video leak case involving fellow TikToker Hareem Shah. The case was heard by Special Judge Central Islamabad, where both Shah and Sandal appeared along with their respective legal representatives. Hareem Shah claimed that Sandal had been blackmailing her with indecent photos, while Shah presented the alleged videos and pictures as evidence in the courtroom.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor argued that TikTok videos are not solely intended for advocating Kashmir’s freedom, implying that the nature of videos created by TikTokers is widely known. However, despite the prosecutor’s arguments, Special Judge Central Azam Khan initially rejected Sandal’s bail application, leading to her subsequent arrest.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
