A baby boy aged just NINE MONTHS sobbed as he appeared in a Pakistani court accused of planning murder.
Bewildered Muhammad Mosa Khan clutched a bottle of milk as he sat on his father’s lap.
The baby boy – along with other members of his family – were also accused of threatening police and interfering in state affairs after a raid to catch suspected gas thieves in Lahore.
Muhammad first appeared calm but began crying when his grandfather took his thumb and dipped it in ink to leave the print on bail forms instead of a signature.
An official named as sub-inspector Kashif Ahmed has reportedly been suspended for registering the case against the child, which has since been dismissed.
Muhammad’s father said the group had been protesting against a shortage of electricity in their area, The Times of India reported.
Police say they were attacked with wooden rods and pelted with stones.
Little Muhammad was said to have thrown a rock according to one report but another Indian newspaper blamed administrative incompetence on the part of the police.
Grandfather Muhammad Yassen said: “He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly. How can he stone the police?”
Criminal cases in Pakistan often feature several family member involved in vendettas though it is rare for an infant to be accused, one supreme court lawyer said.
Defence lawyer Chaudhry Irfan Sadi said: “This case exposes the incompetence of our police force and the way they are operating.”
The Punjab’s chief minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered a report from the police and demanded “stern action” against the officials responsible for bringing the case,
Police operations director Rana Abdul Jabbar said: “A nine month old can never commit such a crime.
“This incident took place due to sheer misunderstanding on the police’s part and was not done on purpose.”
