Six-year-old victim: Police still clueless in minor’s rape case

Six-year-old S* was found near a stream in Korangi, a medical examination confirmed that the girl was raped

KARACHI: Over a week has passed but police officials investigating the rape of a minor girl are no closer to solving the case. In fact, the police are unaware that she has been released from the hospital.

Six-year-old S* was found near a stream in Korangi on January 19. Her body bore several torture marks, especially on her neck and hands. A medical examination confirmed that the young girl was raped.

"We are trying our level best to probe the case and will punish the culprits," said investigations SP Malik Sarwar Altaf. The investigators, however, have yet to record S's statement.

"We cannot record her statement until the doctors give us the green light," said SP Altaf. "Most probably we will be able to record her statement in a couple of days," he disclosed. He insisted that the girl is still at the hospital even though the hospital administration told The Express Tribune she has been discharged.

S was discharged from Civil Hospital, Karachi's Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Trauma Centre on Sunday, said the facility's spokesperson Dr Amir Raza Abedi. According to him, her condition is stable and she has almost recovered from the physical trauma as she can now speak and move her limbs. However, Dr Abedi added that it might take some time for her to overcome the psychological trauma of her assault.

Investigators are also looking for DNA profiles that match those of the three suspects in custody. SP Altaf said the police will be able to get the results of the DNA profile matches in about two weeks.

The Sindh IG has announced Rs1 million for any person who helps investigators arrest suspects. According to a press statement issued by Central Police Office, IG Khawaja held a meeting on Monday to review the progress of the case.

*Name withheld to protect privacy

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2017.