Jilted lover accuses SHO of rape

A woman has accused the station house officer (SHO) of Hujra Shah Muqeem police station of torturing and sexually assaulting her seven years ago.

Okara District Police Officer (DPO) Omar Saeed Malik told The Express Tribune that the woman had filed a complaint against Anjum Zia, the SHO of Hujra Shah Police Station, for

beating and raping her several years ago.

Reportedly, she requested the DPO to take strict action against the SHO.

Taking immediate notice of the matter, the DPO suspended the SHO and formed an inquiry team consisting of two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and a superintendent of police (SP) to investigate the allegation.

The DPO has directed the officers to submit the inquiry report within two days. The committee comprises of SP Investigation Shamsul Haq Durrani, DSP Sadar Circle Saleem Ahmed and DSP Traffic Pir Riaz Ahmed.

The complainant reportedly stated that when Zia was posted as the in-charge of the Harappa police station seven years ago, he had an affair with her and had promised to marry her. She accused him of sexually assaulting her and then refusing to tie the knot. Later on, when she insisted that he marry her, the official allegedly tied her up with ropes and tortured her.

The DPO said in reply to a question regarding the matter, “No one is above the law. If the inquiry committee concludes that Hujra Shah Muqeem Police Station SHO Anjum Zia tortured and raped the woman, strict action will be taken against him without any lenience.”

“The SHO has been suspended till the inquiry team submits its report,” he added.