Ayub alleged 13 men kidnapped her, kept her in custody for 11 months and repeatedly raped her. PHOTO: FILE
Police deployed at the house of Uzma Ayub, the alleged Karak rape victim, has been withdrawn despite court orders, creating panic among Ayub’s family who still fear the attackers might target them.
Ayub alleged 13 men kidnapped her, kept her in custody for 11 months and repeatedly raped her. Ayub was pregnant when she returned home in September 2011. She maintained Zeba’s father is one of the 13 alleged rapists.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) took notice of the case and initiated proceedings in which, besides then DPO Sajid Mohmand, more than 25 personnel were suspended. The 13 accused men, including officials, were also arrested.
In addition to Uzma’s inconclusive polygraph test, DNA tests were also conducted to determine the parentage of the infant. The tests confirmed Uzma was Zeba’s mother but cleared all 13 accused rapists.
After seven months of proceedings, the PHC, on June 19, 2012, failed to reach a conclusion and closed the file with directions to the trial court to decide the case on the evidence available.
The 13 men denied charges and said the accusations against them were a vendetta motivated by the fact that they had arrested Ayub’s brother, Alamzeb Khattak, who was wanted in six different cases.
Khattak was gunned down on December 9, 2011, while escorting Ayub to a case appearance in Karak. As a result, the PHC ordered Ayub’s family be shifted to Peshawar and also directed the provincial police chief to provide them with security. Ayub, along with her family, was provided residency at the Civil Quarters and police personnel were also deployed outside the house.
Ayub’s second brother, Zafran, told The Express Tribune his family had submitted an application to the PHC as his brother’s murder case was still pending at the ATC. “We travel to court for the murder case’s proceedings, which is yet to be decided. We fear we will be attacked (by the alleged rapists)”.
Zafar requested the provincial police chief to provide them with a security squad.
When contacted, SSP Imran Shahid said he was unaware of the issue and could not share the reasons why security had been withdrawn.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2013.
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In consideration of rape of the poor woman by 13 men and not finding one guilty, DNA lab and the police must be going to their respective banks laughing. This case beats India’s system of justice in rape cases, now probably India’s criminals will start coming to Pakistan for few lessons. Shame on self proclaimed moralist/spiritualist South Asia. No woman is safe in these countries.
Why do we use the real names of the survivors/victims of sexual violence?! Are we never going to learn basic ethics?