Three suspects held in alleged rape-cum-murder case

Suspects drugged victim before sexual assault, murder

LAHORE:

Chung police have arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a 25-year-old woman identified as Saniya.

Her body was recovered from a local quarter and has been sent to the morgue for a post-mortem examination.

Police said one of the accused, Afzal Masih, has confessed to the crime, stating that he drugged the victim before sexually assaulting her. After the assault, he strangled her to death and fled the scene.

The victim's brother, Nauman, lodged an FIR against the suspects, leading to the arrests of Afzal Masih, Nadir, and Lazar Masih.

Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly administered a sedative to Saniya before committing the crime.

It was reported that she had a friendship with one of the suspects, who invited her to meet him. Upon her arrival, the suspects intoxicated her, leading to the tragic events that followed.

SP Saddar stated that police have gathered strong evidence against the accused and are preparing a watertight charge sheet to ensure they face the full force of the law.

This case highlights the persistent and grave issue of violence against women in Pakistan, which continues to plague society despite existing laws aimed at deterring such heinous crimes.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), over 14,000 cases of violence against women were reported in 2022, with rape and domestic abuse being the most common forms. A 2021 report by Sahil, a child protection organization, revealed that eight cases of sexual violence were reported daily, underscoring the alarming prevalence of such crimes.

Furthermore, UN Women has identified gender-based violence as one of the most significant barriers to achieving gender equality in the country.

Despite legal advancements, including the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2021, which introduced special courts and survivor-friendly procedures, systemic flaws such as inefficient investigations, societal stigma, and victim-blaming hinder justice.