Gang-rape victim cries out for justice
FAISALABAD, May 9: The Qadirpur police in Jhang investigating a gang-rape case have allegedly given a twist to the issue by declaring a minor the sole rapist to oblige the influential landlords — the actual perpetrators.
The police investigators have changed the nature of the case through a fictitious application despite the fact that the medical examination report has confirmed the gang-rape.
A resident of Patti Ellanwali, Jhang, the victim told Dawn on Wednesday that on the night between April 28 and 29 her widow mother and brother left home for wheat threshing through the machinery installed by some local landlords. Knowing about their departure from home, accused Imran alias Mano and Khalid came to her house raped her one by one and also tortured her.
A medical report No 133/2007 of the Jhang DHQ hospital confirmed that the victim was raped and subjected to torture. It said the case fell under the purview of 337 (F1) and (L2) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The victim was examined twice, once by the rural woman medical officer and then by a gynaecologist of the DHQ hospital.
The police did not bother to wait for the medical report and registered the case on May 2 (the examination was conducted on May 4).
“I raised an alarm and my brother and one Manzoor Ahmad who were on way to home after wheat threshing rushed to rescue me, but both the accused made good their escape.
“They also threatened me with dire consequences and forcibly took oath on the holy Quran that I would not let the cat out of the bag,” she added.
The victim and her family have been living in a sole house situated in a deserted land owned by the culprits. They are not ready to engage in any litigation against the accused.
“I did try to inform the father of one of the accused, who reprimanded me severely and asked me to remain tight-lipped over the issue. Only after this did I decide to fight against the influentials.”
The police, she alleged, were not ready to take action against the culprits and registered a case on a fictitious application. She said the police officials got her signature on two plain papers and used them for application and registration of a FIR.
“Both the intruders raped me one by one, but the police concocted a story and informed SHO Muhammad Aslam Dogar that a minor had raped the girl.”
The family left home and shifted to some other place owing to constant threats by the culprits. It has submitted an application with the DIG (investigation) to take stock of the situation and provide her justice.
Jhang DPO was not available for comments as his subordinate told Dawn that he was busy in a meeting.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/10/2007
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