20-year-old convert to Islam claims she was raped in broad daylight

Police claim alleged victim initially said she was only slapped

LAHORE: A girl, who converted from Christianity to Islam to marry a Muslim boy, claimed she was raped in broad daylight in the Raja Jang area of Raiwind on Wednesday.

However, police refute the allegation, saying a man slapped and harassed her, but did not commit an act of rape.

Azeem, the father of the 20-year-old girl, told The Express Tribune that his daughter and her husband lived at the dairy farm of one Mubashar Ahmed in Mir Muhammad, an area of Raiwind.



He said her husband left the house to take fodder for the animals and  that is when their neighbour, Awais Ahmed, took advantage of the situation. The father accused the man of forcibly entering the property and sexually assaulting his daughter.

Azeem added he is the father of the girl and would never defame her by leveling false allegations. He added there was no enmity against Awais. The father alleged the police was sitting idle and refused to register the case.

Mubashar Ahmed, the employer of Awais, told The Express Tribune that the girl embraced Islam some months ago to marry a Muslim. He said the couple tied the knot and were living happily at his farm.

He said it was shocking to learn that the accused forcibly entered the house and assaulted her. The farm owner said they were trying to convince the police to at least register an FIR. He added a doctor would give the final word on whether this was a rape case and the police could not reject the allegation before a medical examination.

The incident took place before 12pm, but neither was an FIR registered nor was the victim sent for a medical examination.



Muhammad Arshad, the moharrar at Raja Jang Police Station, told The Express Tribune that no rape took place. He added that the accused in this case attacked the girl’s house where he slapped and harassed her. He said personnel of the police station were on census duty and could not visit the scene of the crime. He added an FIR would be registered after the due process is completed.

SHO Tahir Hussain Tarar told The Express Tribune that police would verify the exact circumstances of the incident. He said the alleged rape victim filed an application against the accused for entering her house, abusing her and slapping her. He added she did not mention rape and has now changed the statement. The SHO said a medical examination would be conducted after the incident is verified from locals.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2017.