Inquiry launched against Bhakkar SHO accused of raping cancer-stricken woman

Victim says he and three constables raped her at a police check post

BHAKKAR: The Bhakkar City SHO is facing an official inquiry for allegedly raping a woman who had come to a local shrine to be cured of cancer.

The investigation was initiated against SHO Asif Khan on the orders of Bhakkar DPO Khalid Masood Chaudhry when a medical report confirmed that Faisalabad resident FK* had been raped.

In an application FK wrote to a Bhakkar district and sessions judge, she said she is suffering from cancer and had gone to Bhakkar’s Nad-e-Ali shrine to pray for a cure. She arrived at the bus station and approached the police for directions, and the SHO claimed he would help her find it.

But instead of taking her to the shrine, he took her to the bus station’s police check post, where he was joined by three constables who allegedly gang-raped her.



FK added that after the assault, the policemen took her back to the bus stop and put her on a Faisalabad-bound bus, telling the driver to let her get off in the city.

She said she returned to Bhakkar on April 3 and went to the Saddar DSP, who ordered the medical examination which confirmed sexual assault.

But once the rape was confirmed, Khan abused his authority and registered a case against FK at Saddar Police Station, claiming she was running a brothel, FK said.



Khan has denied the allegations calling them “baseless.” He claimed the application submitted to the district judge only mentions the constables, not him.

He insisted that FK was running a brothel in the area and made the accusations to taint his character.

DPO Chaudhry has ordered an inquiry and promised strict action against the policemen if they are found guilty.

 

*Name withheld to protect victim's identity