LHC summons IG Punjab, others over educational institution incidents

LHC Chief Justice Aaliya Neelum orders all concerned officers to appear before the court tomorrow with records.

The Lahore High Court has summoned Inspector General (IG) Punjab, the Advocate General of Punjab, and the Registrar of Lahore College for Women University to appear in person tomorrow regarding recent incidents in educational institutions.

A hearing was held on a petition filed for a high-level investigation into the recent incidents at educational institutions in Lahore. The High Court has asked IG Punjab to present the report in person.

Chief Justice Aaliya Neelum presided over the hearing on citizen Azam Butt's petition. Advocate Rana Sikandar presented arguments on behalf of the petitioner.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Aaliya Neelum remarked that one case is already ongoing before a full bench, and IG Punjab has been directed to submit a report on the incident at a private college. She added, "The life of that girl has been ruined, whether the incident happened or not."

Chief Justice Aaliya Neelum further questioned why the police did not take action after videos and images of the incident circulated. "The Anti-Rape Act does not permit the publishing of the victim's name, so how did IG Punjab allow the pictures and videos to go viral?" she asked.

The Chief Justice ordered IG Punjab to also submit a report on the suicide incident at Punjab University. "We want a handwritten log of the incident, not a computerised one," she added.

The petitioner's lawyer argued that the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly mentioned on the floor that the Vice Chancellor of Lahore College told him, "We are unable to take action against harassment in the university."

In response, the Chief Justice asked, "What is this complaint about?" The petitioner's lawyer replied, "This is a harassment complaint." The Chief Justice then inquired further, asking, "What kind of complaints are these? What kind of harassment?"

The petitioner's lawyer argued that the media reported on harassment, and this is the word that has reached him. He further mentioned a suicide incident at Punjab University, stating that this incident should be investigated. "An incident was also reported from a private college, and it is being said that this may be a rumour," he added.

The Chief Justice ordered all concerned officers to appear before the court tomorrow with records.

Allegations and Investigation

A security guard accused of raping a first-year student at a private college in Lahore has been taken into custody, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The incident, which surfaced on social media, sparked widespread outrage and protests, resulting in clashes and injuries.

The alleged rape occurred on October 10, and speculation over it began to circulate on social media prompting public reaction and an investigation. However, officials claim that despite the guard's detention, no concrete evidence or victim was identified, casting doubts on the case's authenticity.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also dismissed claims of a rape case at a private college in Lahore, calling it a "fabricated case" . After the story went viral, an investigation was conducted over several days, and the findings concluded that no such incident occurred.

According to Maryam Nawaz, the alleged victim had been hospitalised since October 2 due to a serious fall, which left her critically injured and admitted to the ICU.