A disturbing incident unfolded at the Lahore High Court, where a man attempted self-immolation in front of the court premises. The video of the incident has since gone viral, showing the desperate man engulfed in flames as bystanders and police officials rush to extinguish the fire.

Who Was the Man and Why Did He Take This Step?

The man has been identified as Asif Javed, a resident of Khanewal. Reports suggest that his case was being heard in Justice Shujaat Ali Khan’s courtroom. He had been fighting a legal battle against wrongful termination from his job since 2016.

A Long Legal Struggle

  • Asif Javed was fired in 2016 from a private company.
  • In 2019, the labor court ruled in his favor, ordering his reinstatement.
  • The company challenged the decision in the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), which dismissed the appeal in November 2020.
  • The company escalated the case to the Lahore High Court in December 2020, where the case has been pending for over three years.
  • On the day of the incident, the Lahore High Court delayed the hearing until April 8, 2025.

How Did Petrol Enter the Court Premises?

The incident has raised serious security concerns as the man managed to bring petrol inside the court. In response, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has taken strict notice of the matter and directed Punjab IG Police to submit a report on how such a security lapse occurred.

Legal and Social Implications

This shocking act highlights the frustration of individuals seeking justice in prolonged legal battles. It also raises serious questions about security within the court premises and the need for efficient judicial proceedings to prevent such extreme measures taken by desperate litigants.