RAWALPINDI:
The investigation officer of Sadiqabad police station, who was investigating the case of alleged rape of a 13-year-old domestic worker, was suspended from duty for allegedly declaring the real accused innocent and falsely implicating a domestic worker. The victim is reportedly seven months pregnant.
Sub-inspector Taimoor Waqar has been suspended and ordered to report to police lines following serious allegations that he accepted a substantial bribe, declared the original accused innocent after arrest and instead falsely implicated a 15-year-old domestic worker, Abdul Wahab, who had joined the family only four months ago.
A formal investigation was launched against the officer and a female SI was appointed as the new investigation officer, with orders to conduct the investigation again.
Meanwhile, DNA testing of arrested minor Abdul Wahab has been completed in Lahore. After his appearance before the sitting civil judge Talal Arshad, the investigation officer informed the court that the DNA test had been carried out and the investigation was complete, with no need for further physical custody.
Accordingly, the court remanded the accused in judicial custody in Adiala jail and ordered his re-submission on February 10, along with submission of the challan (charge sheet).
During the court proceedings, the defendant’s father and maternal uncle also appeared and filed applications disclosing significant new claims. Abdul Wahab’s uncle Muhammad Ashraf formally requested a fresh investigation, stating that his nephew had started working in the residence of the house owner, Adil, only four months ago, while the victim is seven months pregnant and had reportedly worked in the same house for two to three years. He further claimed that the FIR initially named the owner of the house, Adil, as the main accused, who was arrested but later found innocent and released, while his nephew, who, according to the family, had not even seen the victim, was later arrested.
The victim’s non-relative guardian Ghulam Fatima, who had brought the girl from Faisalabad to Rawalpindi, has also reportedly gone missing, along with the owner of the house. The accused’s uncle leveled bribery allegations against the suspended IO, alleging that Rs 20,000 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 his guardian were released after accepting a bribe.
Speaking to The Express PAkGazette, another uncle, Shafiq, demanded a fresh probe and claimed that the family intended to approach the Chief Minister in Lahore for justice.
Defense lawyer Rizwan Advocate said this was a simple criminal matter and pointed out that according to the medical board, the victim is seven months pregnant, while the arrested accused joined the family only four months ago, indicating that the alleged crime occurred before his employment.
(Name withheld to protect the identity of the victim)
