Woman flees attempted rape, suffers acid burns

Perpetrator abducted victim to avenge refusal of marriage proposal

OKARA: An 18-year-old girl was abducted from Imam Bargah Street by a man with intent of physical abuse and was later released when locals gathered after listening to the victim’s call for help.

Police Station A Division Station House Officer (SHO) Malik Tariq Javed Awan said Iqra, the youngest niece of Sajjad son of Ishaq, a resident of Hussain Colony, was on her way to buy goods when the accused, Akram, attempted to rape her by forcibly pulling her inside a van. Police said the accused poured petrol on the victim to set her on fire after his rape attempt failed.

Contrary to police claims, the family of the victim alleges that the accused poured acid on Iqra when she fought against the abuse and threw her outside the vehicle and fled the scene when locals gathered at the spot.

The medico legal officer (MLO) has confirmed the claim of the family and expressed concerns that the victim may lose her eye owing to the intensity of the acid burn.

Despite confirmation regarding the nature of attack, police have registered a case against the accused for ‘attempting to pour petrol on the victim to set her on fire’ instead of an acid attack and an attempt to rape.

Moreover, the accused could not be arrested by the police as he possesses interim bail.

The heirs of the victim told The Express Tribune that Akram, who is already married, had proposed Iqra. The victim had turned down his proposal leading to her revenge abduction, molestation attempt and acid burn. Sajjad, the uncle of the victim, called out the authorities to set the record straight and register correct first information report (FIR) regarding the incident.

District Police Officer (DPO) Omar Saeed Malik has taken notice of the incident and has sought a detailed report on it from concerned officers.

He also ordered police to take stern action against the accused and complete inquiry based on merit to punish him for his crimes.

A committee has also been formulated to report the actual nature of attack.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2020.