RAWALPINDI:
The investigating officer of Sadiqabad police station, who investigated the case involving the alleged rape of a 13-year-old domestic helper, was suspended from duty for allegedly declaring the real accused innocent and falsely implicating a male domestic helper. The victim is reportedly seven months pregnant.
Sub-Inspector Taimoor Waqar, has been suspended and told to report to the police following serious allegations that he accepted a substantial bribe, declared the original accused innocent after the arrest and instead implicated a 15-year-old domestic worker, Abdul Wahab, who had joined the household only four months ago.
A formal investigation has been initiated against the officer and a female SI has been appointed as the new investigating officer with orders to conduct the investigation afresh.
Meanwhile, the DNA test of the arrested minor Abdul Wahab has been completed in Lahore. When he appeared before Civil Judge Talal Arshad, the court was informed by the investigating officer that the DNA test had been carried out and that the investigation had been concluded without the need for further physical custody.
The court therefore remanded the accused to judicial custody in the Adiala Jail with orders that he should be produced again on February 10 along with filing of the plea (indictment).
During the trial, the accused’s father and maternal uncle also appeared and filed applications revealing substantial new claims. Abdul Wahab’s uncle, Muhammad Ashraf, formally requested a re-investigation, stating that his nephew had started working at the house owner Adil’s residence only four months ago, whereas the victim is seven months pregnant and had allegedly been employed in the same household for two to three years. He further stated that the FIR initially named the house owner Adil as the main accused who was arrested but later acquitted and released, while his nephew – who according to the family had never even seen the victim – was subsequently arrested instead.
The victim’s non-relative guardian, Ghulam Fatima, who had brought the girl from Faisalabad to Rawalpindi, has also disappeared along with the house owner. The accused’s uncle leveled bribery charges against the suspended IO, claiming that Rs20,000 was taken from him for transporting the accused from Rawalpindi Police Station to Lahore Forensic Laboratory for DNA testing.
He alleged that the vehicle used belonged to the original accused, Adil, who also paid for the fuel, and that both the victim and her guardian were released after receiving a bribe.
Another uncle, Shafiq, speaking to The Express Pakinomist, demanded a fresh inquiry and said the family intended to approach the Chief Minister in Lahore to seek justice.
Defense counsel Rizwan Advocate said this was a straightforward criminal case, noting that according to the medical board, the victim is seven months pregnant, while the arrested accused joined the household only four months ago – indicating that the alleged offense took place before his employment.
(Name withheld to protect victim’s identity)
