Rawat murder-rape: Police arrest three more suspects

Court orders DNA tests; police to examine mobile phone data

RAWALPINDI: Police have arrested three more suspects over their alleged involvement in the rape and murder of a 24-year-old woman in the limits of Rawat Police Station around a week ago.

Tasnim*, a resident of Chakwal, was allegedly raped and murdered in a residential flat in Bahria Town Phase 8 on November 21. Police said the victim was thrown out of the apartment’s window. Police had arrested a suspect, Uzair*, the same day in an injured condition from the premises while reportedly trying to escape.

All four suspects were produced before Civil Judge Irum Nazir, who gave the suspects into police custody on five-day physical remand. Uzair* was brought to the court in an ambulance. The court ordered the police to arrange a medical examination of him as well as DNA tests of all the suspects.

The investigation officer told the court that police would also obtain mobile phone data of all the suspects which will help ascertain whether they were at the crime scene on that day.

The counsel for the three new suspects, however, maintained that his clients were not guilty. He added that the DNA tests would confirm their innocence.

In a statement recorded with the police, Uzair* claimed he was married to Tasnim*, but failed to produce a marriage certificate to support the claim. He also claimed that Tasnim* suffered from various diseases. Police say the statement is baseless and believe the suspect is trying to cover up the crime. He also told police that four of his friends were also present at the apartment the night before.

The next hearing into the case is scheduled on December 4, 2015.

*NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM AND SUSPECTS

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2015.