Police in Bahawalpur have registered a case against 35 individuals, including prominent dancer Mehak Malik, following a mehndi ceremony in Yazman Mandi marked by obscene dances (mujra), excessive noise, and the throwing of currency notes.
According to the Bahawalpur police, the event violated the Loudspeakers and Sound Amplifiers Law, with sound levels exceeding permissible limits during the ceremony.
Additionally, officers reported that participants showered cash over the dancers, an act deemed inappropriate and linked to the performance of vulgar dances. The First Information Report (FIR) identifies Mehak Malik, a well-known figure in the dance community, and local resident Zeeshan, alias Shani, among the primary suspects. The document lists 10 named individuals and 25 others yet to be identified.
Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that the named suspects include several government employees, notably a police constable, raising concerns about the involvement of public servants in the affair. The police have not disclosed the identities of these employees pending further inquiry but confirmed their inclusion in the FIR.
The case centers on three key violations: the performance of dances deemed obscene by authorities, the unauthorized use of amplified sound equipment, and the distribution of currency during the event.
No arrests have been reported as of yet, but the investigation remains active, with efforts underway to identify the remaining unnamed participants.
The incident has spotlighted ongoing debates in Pakistan over cultural practices and public behavior, particularly regarding dance performances at private gatherings. For Malik and her co-accused, the legal proceedings mark a significant development, with potential implications for their professional and personal standings as the case progresses.
