RAWALPINDI:
Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Asif Mehmood acquitted a stepfather accused of raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter, citing lack of evidence in Rawalpindi.
The court ordered the man’s immediate release from Adiala jail and declared the case baseless.
The case, registered on June 15, 2023 in the Lohi Bher police jurisdiction of Islamabad, involved allegations leveled by the victim’s mother, Safia Bibi.
She accused her husband, whom she married in 2019, of repeatedly assaulting their youngest daughter.
Safia Bibi has three daughters, ages 14, 12 and 11, from a previous marriage.
Lawyer Chaudhry Abid Hussain Chohan, representing Irfan, argued in court that the allegations were baseless.
Contradictions were observed in the statements of Safia Bibi and her daughters.
Furthermore, neither forensic nor medical reports corroborated the claims, leading the court to consider the case fabricated.
“This is a sensitive and serious allegation. No one can be punished based on mere accusations without evidence,” said lawyer Chohan.
He further called for strict action against those filing false cases, highlighting the reputational damage and financial loss suffered by his client.
The court criticized the lack of credible evidence and stated that false accusations undermine the seriousness of such serious crimes.
He also emphasized the need for stricter investigation procedures to prevent misuse of legal systems.
Advocate Chohan urged the city police officer (CPO) to set up a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to handle such cases comprehensively.
He also noted other cases of false accusations in Rawalpindi, including cases against prominent religious figures, calling for punitive measures against whistleblowers and investigators involved in making unfounded accusations.
The court’s decision has raised questions about the handling of sensitive cases and the need for balanced measures to protect both victims and those falsely accused.
