IHC grants protective bail to businessman's daughter in Faisalabad abuse case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted a four-day protective bail, for a surety bond of Rs25,000, to Ana Ali Sheikh on Monday in the abduction, torture and abuse case of a Faisalabad medical student.

Ana and her lawyer had been asked to appear before the high court today with proof of Ana residing in Islamabad, rather than travelling to the city after the FIR was lodged in Faisalabad.

An affidavit on behalf of the petitioner was submitted to the IHC.

During the hearing, the court expressed indignation at Ana’s lawyer for claiming the petitioner resided in Islamabad. The court observed that the applicant had, indeed, come to Islamabad after the filing of the FIR.

The court further remarked that everyone comes to the federal capital's court because it is easy to obtain protective bail from here.

Abduction and torture case

Last week, an influential businessman along with at least five other men allegedly abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted a medical student in Faisalabad.

Read Victim denies reconciliation in torture-abuse case

The 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 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.

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 after the student rejected Danish’s advances.

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.