Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed released or not? Twitter left confused

A controversy has surrounded the Gujranwala court verdict regarding Hafiz Saeed's case, while some news platforms have reported that the Mumbai terror attack mastermind is released from the jail while others have reported that he is held guilty and the case is shifted to Gujrat of Pakistan. The controversy comes just days after India announced the decision to scrap Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The confusion has sparked intense debate on Twitter.

He was arrested on July 17 as Pakistan faced increasing pressure to curb terrorism on its soil. Saeed's arrest is also being seen as pressure on Pakistan in connection with its commitment to the Financial Act Task Force (FATF) whose next deadline is in October.

A major Indian news portal Times Now, for example, has reported on Twitter that Hafiz Saeed was released from custody in Kot Lakpat jail.

News Agency ANI, on the other hand, has reported on Twitter that Hafiz Saeed was held guilty by Gujranwala court and the case is shifted to Gujrat, although quoting Pakistan media reports. Devdiscourse could not immediately confirm which Pakistani media houses ANI has quoted.

Hafiz Saeed held guilty by Gujranwala court; case shifted to Gujrat (Pak): Pakistan media reports. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/zOsCWDmeA0

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019

Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) is believed to be the front organization for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. He was listed under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. Under pressure from the international community, Pakistani authorities have launched investigations into matters of the LeT, the JuD and its charity wing the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) regarding their holding and use of trusts to raise funds for terrorism financing.

Disclaimer: A previous version of the story stated that Hafiz Saeed has been released from jail, according to the report by Times Now.