PM mobilises team in sexual assault video case

A high-level police investigation team has been mobilised to probe the case involving inhumane treatment of a couple in Islamabad after Prime Minister Imran Khan directed IG Qazi Jameelur Rehman to ensure that the culprits face an exemplary punishment.

A senior official of the Islamabad police confirming the development to The Express Tribune said that Asad has alleged in his statement given to the investigation team that Usman Mirza and his associates had blackmailed him and received Rs1.3 million from him as extortion. The statement will now have to be endorsed by the girl victim after which the relevant clauses of blackmailing and extortion will be added in the FIR based on which case may be referred to the anti-terrorism court.

In response to a question, he said that the police have been given explicit instructions from the prime minister to make this case an example of speedy justice. He said that the premier has advised treating the matter as a test case for the federal police. The culprits should be made an example in the society based on solid evidence and review of all the aspects and no pressure or influence of any sort should be tolerated during an investigation, he said, citing instructions from the prime minister.

A senior federal police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the investigation team is currently focusing on four aspects of the case, including blackmailing of girls or couples, entrapment of girls or couples by making their videos for money or any other purpose, and connection of the accused with any criminal network.

Read PM takes notice of viral sex assault video

The investigation team is also trying to figure out whether the suspects were pre-informed about the presence of the couple in the flat or whether they had installed spy cameras in it monitoring the video of which they chose to break into the premises.

The team is trying to figure out the role of each accused including the primary suspect Usman Mirza and his accomplices Hafiz Ataur Rehman, Farhan Shaheen Awan, Idris Qayyum Butt, and Bilal Marwat. According to the police, victim Asad and the girl have got married as confirmed father of the boy.

Sources further said that criminal records of the accused were being obtained. So far four cases have been registered against the accused in various other crimes before the present case. One case was registered at Sihala Police Station, two cases at Waris Khan Police Station, and one case at Chauntra police station in Rawalpindi.

The statement of Asad’s wife has not been recorded yet, sources said, adding that police have assured the couple of their security and requested them to record their statement as witnesses without fear.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Home Affairs Senator Mohsin has summoned IG Islamabad at the next meeting with a full report of the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2021.