Sexual assault scandal rocks Chakwal

Two seminary teachers accused of raping 14 students

CHAKWAL:

In yet another major sex scandal, two teachers of a seminary in Chakwal have been accused of raping 14 of their students.

According to sources, the Saddar police have apprehended both suspects, who have now been placed on four-day physical remand by a local court.

The father of one victim had lodged a report at the Saddar police station, stating that he had gone to meet his son at the religious school. Shocking, he found his child terrified and traumatised. Upon inquiring, the child revealed that he and 13 other students had been subjected to sexual abuse by their teachers, identified as Zeeshan and Anis.

Sources further said the victims, as young as 14 years old, not only experienced sexual harassment but also bore alleged physical markings inflicted by the accused.

Responding to the complaint, Saddar police initiated legal proceedings, detaining the accused while ensuring the affected children were taken into protective custody, they said.

Read ‘Faith healers’ held for sexual exploitation

Subsequently, the children underwent medical examinations, confirming injuries, although allegations of rape will be substantiated following DNA tests on both students and teachers.

District Police Officer Captain (R) Wahid Mehmood expressed determination to bring the accused to justice, directing law enforcement to compile a robust case with all necessary evidence. The SHO of Saddar police station, Malik Azhar, and his team promptly arrested the suspects, securing a physical remand after producing them before the area magistrate's court on Saturday.

On the other hand, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Allama Tahir Ashrafi condemned the heinous incident in the Chakwal madrassa, calling it brutal and barbaric. The Ulema Council also strongly condemned the act, emphasising the need for a swift trial under the Anti-Terrorism Act for the arrested perpetrators. Ashrafi asserted that abusing children studying the Holy Quran constitutes barbarism.

He said he would ensure that justice is served, and both accused face consequences. He called upon the government and judiciary to take strict action, assuring that the Ulema Council would closely monitor the case.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2023.