PML-N MPA booked for raping minor domestic help

Child protection bureau informs police, takes rape survivor into protective custody

LAHORE: Police on Saturday registered a case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Mian Tahir Jamil after he was accused of raping a minor girl employed at his residence as a domestic worker.

After receiving information regarding the incident, the Punjab Child Protection & Welfare Bureau (CP&WB) sprung into action and submitted an application demanding an investigation into the matter. The bureau's chairperson, Sarah Ahmad, also demanded the arrest of the accused.

The PML-N lawmaker was booked under Section 34 of the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Child Act and for sexual abuse under Section 377B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

"Section 34 of the PDNC Act is included because it is illegal to keep a minor in custody in the first place," said Ahmad.

"Whoever commits the offence of sexual abuse shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to life imprisonment and liable to fine which shall not be less than five hundred thousand rupees or both," states Section 377B of the PPC.

Section 376 of the PPC — that states that the offence could be punishable by death or life imprisonment — was also incorporated in the police report.

"The rape survivor had been sent for medical examination on June 26 — the same day that the incident surfaced before the media," said District In-charge CP&WB Ijaz Aslam Dogar.

Along with the medico-legal certificate, the survivor also confirmed that she had been raped twice by the MPA while she was employed in his house, Dogar added.

"The minor had been working for over six months at his residence," he added.

Commenting on the matter, the CP&WB's chairperson confirmed that the survivor had been taken into custody immediately.

"We have been authorised by the parents of the child to keep her and the minor is currently with the bureau in Faisalabad," Ahmad added further.

"To counter the allegations, MPA Jamil accused the survivor of theft."

"The CP&WB is constantly following up with Faisalabad police on when the accused shall be arrested. We are going to try and ensure that he is not granted bail," elaborated the chairperson.

To expedite the process, the survivor's family also approached the city police officer, regional police officer and the sessions judge, the district in-charge elaborated.

Bureau's officials maintained that they had been pushing the police for arrest.

"As per protocol under Section 164, the police is currently recording the minor's statement before the magistrate but we are pushing the authorities that the accused is arrested soon," added Ijaz.

The survivor's family was not available for comment.

Copy of the first information report. PHOTO: EXPRESS