TikToker Mr Patlu has been granted a major legal reprieve. The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday granted protective bail to Muhammad Ansar Jatt, popularly known as Mr Patlu, until November 10 in the deadly Sialkot mehndi stampede case that killed two people and left 18 others injured. The TikToker appeared before the court in a wheelchair as his legal team secured temporary protection from arrest.
The Islamabad High Court’s decision
The Islamabad High Court, presided over by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, granted protective bail to Mr Patlu in connection with the FIR registered against him after the stampede at his wedding celebrations in Sialkot. The court directed him to approach the relevant court in Sialkot before November 10.
His legal team had requested protection from arrest so that he could safely appear before the competent court in Sialkot for further legal proceedings. The Islamabad High Court clarified that its decision was limited to temporary protection and did not determine the merits of the allegations against the TikToker.
Mr Patlu appeared before the court in a wheelchair. The appearance came days after he told supporters in a video statement that he had injured his back while playing cricket and was unable to walk — a claim that now sits alongside the scenes from the courtroom.
The Sialkot mehndi stampede: what happened
The controversy began after Mr Patlu organised a mehndi celebration and prize-distribution ceremony at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road in Sialkot, extending an open invitation to the public through social media. The invitation promised a spectacular lucky draw, with prizes reportedly including Rs20 million in cash, a car, 50 motorcycles, mobile phones — and even financial support for the wedding expenses of 20 deserving girls from underprivileged families.
Thousands of people travelled from Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Mandi Bahauddin and other parts of Punjab to attend. According to police, the gates of the venue had remained locked while a large crowd gathered outside, and the situation turned chaotic when entry was finally allowed — an announcement allegedly urging attendees to enter all at once triggered the fatal surge.
Two people lost their lives in the crush: a man identified as Aqeel died at the scene, and another injured man, identified as Rehan, was shifted to Lahore for treatment but died on Sunday. Rescue 1122 teams rushed the injured to hospitals, and the district administration cancelled the remaining wedding events to prevent further harm. The district administration also revealed it had initially issued a no-objection certificate for a private function, but withdrew the permission before the event began after officials received reports of violations around 4pm.
The case so far: FIR, arrests and a minister’s criticism
Following the tragedy, an FIR was registered at Motra Police Station on October 31, naming Mr Patlu, his brother and several other individuals. According to police, the FIR names nine suspects, including the TikToker, along with 45 unidentified individuals. The case includes charges relating to causing death through negligence, violating official orders, vandalism, incitement and unlawful assembly. Six people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy, while police also seized 50 motorcycles and a car from the lucky-draw stash.
In his earlier video statement, Mr Patlu appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Field Marshal Asim Munir to look into the matter fairly, insisting he had done nothing wrong and was not even present at the venue when the stampede happened. Read our earlier coverage: Mr Patlu breaks his silence after the Sialkot wedding stampede.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who accused Mr Patlu in a statement posted on X of using his influence to evade accountability. Asif alleged the event had been organised as a publicity and money-making exercise, with the prizes serving as an investment to attract a large audience and generate social media revenue — turning the poverty of local residents into entertainment. He also raised questions about the regulation and taxation of high-earning social media personalities.
What happens next
The protective bail gives Mr Patlu a window until November 10 to approach the relevant court in Sialkot, where the main case against him and his co-accused will be heard. The court has not decided on the merits of the allegations, meaning the legal battle is far from over.
Meanwhile, police have continued their efforts to arrest the remaining suspects as investigations into the deadly stampede proceed. Investigators are examining whether the stampede resulted from failures by the organisers to follow safety procedures and crowd-management rules.
The case has also kept social media divided. While some of the TikToker’s supporters have expressed sympathy, many others have questioned how such a large public event was organised without adequate crowd management. Fellow TikToker Rajab Butt publicly offered words of support, telling Mr Patlu to stay strong — a gesture that itself became a talking point online.
The Sialkot stampede case continues to draw national attention as one of the most closely watched cases involving a Pakistani social media influencer, and the November 10 hearing will determine the next chapter of Mr Patlu’s legal fight.
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