PHOTO: REUTERS
Dr Abid Shah, who was accused of negligence and delay in the post-mortem of the minor victim, has been replaced by Dr Imtiaz Ahmed who has been transferred from Police line Dispensary Islamabad to Polyclinic as new MLO.
According to the post-mortem report, the girl was subjected to sexual abuse before being murdered.
Farishta murder case: Three neighbours taken into custody as investigation continues
The hospital sources revealed that the victim’s family had complained about the behaviour of the hospital administration. When the hospital’s administration investigated the matter, it was disclosed that the post-mortem was delayed because MLO was absent from duty.
The family of the deceased held a protest demonstration at Taramri Chowk with the dead body of the girl.
They held local police responsible for the rape and murder of the girl. A case has been registered against Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) activist Gulalai Ismail, for delivering an anti-state speech and inciting people against the government and armed forces.
The Shahzad Town Police registered a case under sections six and seven of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1999 (ATA).
SHO, investigation officer gets bail
The SHO and the investigation officer were arrested over negligence in the Farishta assault and murder case, are in fact roaming free on bail, sources said.
The arrest was only a media show, whereas the two police officials, SHO Abbas and Investigation Officer ASI Nasir held responsible for dilly-dallying registration of FIR and investigation in the 10-year-old Farishta’s rape case were enjoying undue advantage from their peers, sources said.
Family of the 10-year-old victim had staged a protest on Taramri Chowk, which led to senior authorities taking notice of the case.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the sacked SHO Abbas had already acquired bail against a surety of Rs50,000 from Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Zaiba Chaudhry on May 22. However, he did not deposit the surety amount until Thursday.
On Thursday, when Abbas and Nasir were presented before the Judicial Magistrate Faisal Saleem, the police requested a 14-day judicial remand instead of a physical remand.
At this, the two immediately filed a bail plea which the court approved because they had been arrested on bail-able charges.
Abbas was granted bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000 and Nasir for Rs50,000.
The two officials were enjoying special protocol in the Shehzad Town police station.
10-year-old girl’s rape-murder triggers protest in Islamabad
First doubts about the arrest of Shahzad Town police station SHO Ghulam Abbas came to fore when a judge, for his personal knowledge, asked about his whereabouts from an under-trial prisoner.
During the hearing of a case in the District and Sessions Court, the judge asked a suspect, who was in the Shahzad Town police station lockup, “Was SHO Ghulam Abbas with you in the lockup last night?” and the suspect said: “No, SHO Ghulam Abbas was not in the lockup with me.”
Firdous visit’s victim’s home
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the culprits involved in the murder of girl Farishta would be brought to justice and black sheep in the police department would be dealt with for their negligence in the case.
She was talking to media during her visit to the house of Farishta.
She said reforms would be initiated to improve the police and justice system according to demands of the present times and to better tackle such incidents in the future.
She said she came to assure the victim family of support of the government, adding Prime Minister Imran Khan was striving to bring reforms in the paralyzed system.
She said Farishta was the daughter of the nation and the injustice and cruelty done to her was evidence of the challenges faced by society.
The special assistant said PM Imran Khan was making efforts to reform institutions and change the mind set of people in these institutions regarding social issues.
“The unfortunate incident is a matter of concern and it identifies that our traditions have fallen apart, our challenges have increased and our bond with religion has weakened. Our sisters and daughters are falling victims to the deteriorating values in society,” Firdous said.
She said the prime minister took decisions which were to be taken at the level of inspector general of police and lower.
The gaps in registering the first information report, post-mortem, investigation, and recovery of the child pointed to a weak system. “We need to strengthen the system and follow a strategy to implement the laws.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2019.
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