Faisalabad businessman arrested for 'abduction, torture and sexual assault' of woman

In yet another case of violence against women in the country, an influential businessman along with at least five other men allegedly abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted a medical student in Faisalabad on Wednesday.

Police took action against six suspects after footage of the victim being attacked and humiliated spread like wildfire on social media.

In the harrowing visuals, Sheikh Danish Ali, who runs a lucrative textile business in the Punjab city, along with Maham, a classmate of the victim, can be seen not only mercilessly thrashing Khadija Mehmood but also hurling verbal abuse her way at their residence in the upscale Paradise Valley.

A case was lodged against Danish, along with his daughter Ana Ali, who is was a classmate of the alleged victim in university.

According to the police report, Khadija, a final year student of BDS, was Ana’s friend and would often visit her home. Danish began to develop feelings for Khadija and asked his daughter to send her a marriage proposal. Khadija, however, spurned his proposal after which Ana began sending the victim death threats. Upon receiving these threats, Khadija cut off all contact from Danish and his family.

On August 9, Danish and his daughter, along with a group of men, broke into Khadija’s home and kidnapped her as well as her brother.

According to the FIR, they also stole valuables including Khadija’s Iphone 13 Pro Max, gold bangles and Rs500,000.
Taking the victim to their lavish residence, situated in one of the most elite areas of Faisalabad, the culprits began torturing Khadija in front of her brother.

Danish and his daughter, along with other members of the household cut her hair, and even made her lick their shoes all the while recording this extreme form of abuse and humiliation in a video, which the culprits themselves later posted on social media.

Khadija has also alleged that she was forced to perform a sex act on Danish which he also recorded.

The City Police Officer Faisalabad told The Express Tribune that “Police arrested the main accused [Danish Ali] yesterday along with six other culprits who tortured the woman. A special team was formed by CPO Faisalabad to immediately arrest the accused”.

While the police were quick to take action against the culprits, Ana, one of the main accused has not been taken into custody so far.

— Fariha Rana (@fari_licious) August 17, 2022