Awaiting justice: ‘Incest’ victim, family face life threat

Police refuse to book suspect.

RAWALPINDI:

A disturbing story of incest has emerged from Golra Sharif where a man has been charged of sexually assaulting and attempting to murder his 18-year-old daughter. The victim fears for her and her family’s lives if her father, Tauqeer Shah*, currently in police custody on attempted murder charges, is granted bail.

The 18-year-old girl, Razia Bibi* was moved out of her house by a human rights lawyer, Faisal Iqbal Khan, soon after the victim’s brother registered a case against his father at the Golra police station. She is being treated for extreme fear psychosis.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the lawyer said the Golra police have registered a case against Shah* only on charges of attempted murder but are resisting charging him of incest under the Hudood law. He said a medical test has been conducted on Razia* but the result is not being revealed by the police. He said he has lodged a complaint with Additional Session Judge Rifat Sultan Sheikh.

The Golra police, however, claimed they do not have enough evidence to charge Shah of incest.

The rape victim disclosed her ordeal in a signed statement addressed to Golra police station in-charge, accusing her father of raping her for three days, after which she informed her older sister of the incident.

Razia’s elder sister took her husband into confidence, who then spoke directly with Shah, but he denied the allegations. However, he opened fire at Razia, but she remained unhurt.

Her brother-in-law informed Razia’s brother of the incident, who immediately went to the Golra police station demanding his father’s arrest. Shah was taken into custody and is in Adiala jail awaiting court appearance.

The lawyer alleged that Shah’s brother may be pushing the authorities to suppress the medical report and releasing him on bail. He feared “Shah’s release may seriously jeopardise lives of Razia, her brother, mother and brother-in-law.

Khan said that there is enough evidence to prove that Shah was already involved in other criminal activities and that he was violent and abusive.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2011.