SIALKOT — 2021 · Murder
Lynching of Priyantha Kumara
Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national who had worked for years as a manager at a sports-goods factory in Sialkot, was beaten to death on 3 December 2021 by a crowd of hundreds that gathered over an allegation of blasphemy; his body was set on fire in the street. The killing caused outrage in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the then prime minister called it a 'day of shame for Pakistan'. Police arrested dozens of people using CCTV and mobile-phone footage. In April 2022 an anti-terrorism court in Lahore sentenced six people to death and many others to various prison terms. A colleague who tried to save Kumara received a national award for bravery.
- Date
- 2021
- Place
- Wazirabad Road, Punjab, Pakistan, Sialkot, PK
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 32.4900, 74.5300 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 3 December 2021Kumara was killed by a mob at the factory.
- December 2021Dozens of suspects were arrested from footage.
- 18 April 2022An anti-terrorism court sentenced six to death.
Sources
- Dawn — Priyantha Kumara lynching: ATC awards death sentence to 6 dawn.com ↗
- Business Recorder — Sialkot lynching verdict brecorder.com ↗
- Ada Derana — Six sentenced to death in Priyantha Kumara lynching case adaderana.lk ↗
- Wikipedia — Lynching of Priyantha Kumara en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Dawn
- Business Recorder
- Ada Derana
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.