Lady polio workerreveals rape ordeal

Testifies before the court, demands justice and protection

HYDERABAD:

After denying rape for two days allegedly under certain pressures, a polio worker in Jacobabad district disclosed before the court on Friday that she was subjected to rape during the immunisation campaign on September 11.

She testified before the court that she was abducted and raped in village Allah Baksh Jakhrani in the jurisdiction of Moladad police station. She along with her polio team was recovered from the village by the police who were accompanied by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahoor Marri and the District Health Officer.

The victim was taken to James Hospital where her medico legal examination was conducted. However, the next day she told the media that she came across a crime of robbery in which her mobile phone and other valuables were robbed. She categorically dismissed the rape allegation. "I was almost certain [about her rape]. I myself went there and brought her from that place," DC told the media.

He acknowledged that she was refusing to admit rape under certain pressures. "It is such a social cruelty that a victim is so afraid to confirm rape."

However, on Friday she disowned her assertion of rape denial and confirmed before District and Sessions Judge of Jacobabad, Syed Sharafuddin Shah that she was raped at gunpoint. She also requested the judge to allow her to go to her parent's home from the shelter house where the police took her after the incident. A report submitted by the District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Irshad Sarki also suggested the sexual assault.

The judge directed Jacobabad's SSP Sumer Noor Channa to form a joint investigation team (JIT) to conduct a fair and transparent enquiry into the matter. The JIT will have to submit its report to the court.

Advocate Zubeda Jakhrani, who has been supporting the rape victim to get justice, complained to the media after the hearing that the police were trying to weaken the case but the court's suo moto notice has given hope for justice for the victim.

Advocate Zubeda Jakhrani and other lawyers alleged that even some government officers were involved in threatening the victim to deny rape.

The police, meanwhile, arrested the rape accused Ahmed Jakhrani, claiming that he was rounded up in a raid.

Incidents of harassment of the polio workers during the campaign which started last week also occurred in Thatta and Jamshoro districts.

In Thatta a video surfaced on social media showing a man insulting a lady polio worker for knocking at his door and waking him up from sleep.

The person later recorded a video statement of apology but the DHO Thatta said they will pursue a police case. The Jamshoro police lodged an FIR on the state's complaint, nominating Abdul Baqi Pathan for harassing and insulting polio workers who are out to administer polio drops to his children at a dispensary at RBB Colony. Pathan has also been arrested for the offence.