Woman involved in cop hit-and-run sent to jail on judicial remand

The woman involved in the hit-and-run incident with a motorway police officer in January has been remanded to jail by the court on Thursday, a day after her arrest, which followed the circulation of a viral video depicting the event on social media.

Farah, the accused, eluded capture after colliding with the motorway police officer and was apprehended three and a half months later following the widespread dissemination of the video on social media platforms. A case was registered against her at Naseerabad police station on January 2, 2024, based on the complaint of Patrolling Officer Mohammad Sabir, under charges including interference in government affairs, resistance, and causing injury to government officials.

Today, the accused was presented before Civil Judge Dr Mumtaz Hanjra by the police, who requested a five-day physical remand for further investigation.

The court was informed that the incident occurred on January 1, involving a high-speed escape on the motorway. The defence lawyer argued that the police remained inactive for 113 days until the video went viral, stressing that since no one was injured, physical remand of the accused was unconstitutional. The lawyer deemed the case fit for dismissal, contending that the request for physical remand should be denied.

Also read: Woman who ran over motorway cop arrested from Islamabad

During the hearing, the court suggested that the investigating officer could conduct interrogations in the presence of female staff and jail authorities. Questioning the application of Section 324 pertaining to murder charges, the court sought clarification from the investigating officer, who asserted that the accused intentionally targeted the officer with her vehicle, demonstrating an intent to kill.

Describing the act as a grave offense amounting to murder, the prosecution argued for the necessity of physical remand to recover vehicle documents and conduct a voice test.

Nevertheless, the court rejected the police's request for physical remand and sent the accused, Farah, to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand. The accused appeared in court amidst heavy police presence.