Mansehra rape case suspect’s DNA tests positive, claim police

Report to be presented before the court at next hearing

PESHAWAR: A DNA test of a suspect in the Mansehra madrassa rape case has come back as positive, police claimed on Friday, adding that the DNA report will be presented before the court at the next hearing of the case.

Officials on Friday said that on December 27, 2019, the Phulra police had arrested Qari Shamsuddin, his brother among four suspects for allegedly sexually assaulting a boy. A medical examination had confirmed that the boy had been raped and tortured.

Based on the statements of the victim and other witnesses, the suspects were arrested. Their DNA samples were obtained and sent to a forensic lab.

Sources in the district police, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said that they had received the DNA report which was positive for Shamsuddin.

When contacted, officials at the Phulra station confirmed that the district police had received the report but declined to comment on its contents. They added that they have only been directed to produce it before the court at the next hearing.

A local police officer said that while the forensic report does strengthen their case, he added that they have other evidence in the case as well, including statements from the victim and eyewitnesses. Moreover, he said that they also have the medical report which confirms that the boy had suffered wounds to his elbows while his eyes were swollen.

“The child was hospitalised after being raped and tortured,” the report further showed.

Separately, Mansehra District Police Officer Saddiq Baluch and investigation SP Arif Javed have urged the court to try the case in the model court of the district owing to the sensitive nature of the case.

Apart from sections about rape and torture, the case also included a section for habeas corpus (keeping someone in illegal conferment for two days after severe conditions).