Abuse victim exonerates suspect

Court orders DNA profiling as victim, guardian withdraw charges

RAWALPINDI:

A significant legal U-turn occurred in the Sadiqabad police case involving the alleged drugging and sexual assault of a 13-year-old domestic worker on Monday, as both the victim and her legal guardian retracted their original allegations against the primary suspect, shifting the blame to another individual during a formal court testimony.

Appearing before Civil Judge Tahira Yaqoob Awan to record her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the minor, identified as Zunaira Bibi, deviated entirely from the initial First Information Report (FIR). She exonerated the homeowner, Adeel, who had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault and administering intoxicating substances that resulted in her pregnancy.

Zunaira testified that Adeel and his wife, Sheila, had treated her with parental affection for the past five years. "My employers are wonderful people; they have raised me as their own daughter and provided for my education and upbringing," she stated.

Following this exoneration, Area Magistrate Adeel Sarwar Sial declared the suspect innocent and ordered his immediate discharge from the case.

The girl's guardian, Ghulam Fatima—a resident of Jaranwala, Faisalabad—also withdrew all charges of rape and impregnation against Adeel. However, the medical board at Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBGH) has formally confirmed that the 13-year-old is pregnant.

During the medical evaluation, Zunaira introduced a new narrative, alleging that a youth named Naveed was the actual perpetrator.

In response to this fresh testimony, the Sadiqabad Police, led by Investigating Officer Taimoor, have apprehended a suspect named Naveed, who is currently awaiting an identification parade.

On Monday, Additional District and Sessions Judge Afshan Ejaz Sufi intervened, expressing concern over the victim's fluctuating statements. The judge rejected the guardian's petition for the child's return, citing safety concerns and ordered the minor to be placed under the custody of the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB).

The court further ordered mandatory DNA profiling of the victim and the suspects. This procedure is to be conducted under the direct supervision of the CPWB Incharge to establish biological facts in the face of contradictory testimonies, the judge further ordered.

Zunairah told the court that following the death of her father, Benyamin, nine years ago and her mother's subsequent remarriage, she and her elder sister were placed under the guardianship of a local woman, Ghulam Fatima, in Chak Makona, Jaranwala.

Five years ago, she was relocated to Rawalpindi to work as a domestic help for a couple, Adeel and Sheila. The arrangement, according to her testimony, was intended to provide her with an education and a monthly stipend of 6,000 PKR.

Zunaira informed the court that her employer, Adeel, and his wife had treated her with "parental kindness." She explicitly denied the allegations of assault or the administration of intoxicating substances, stating that the previous accusations were unfounded. Following this statement, and a similar retraction by her guardian, the court ordered the immediate discharge and release of the suspect.

During the medical board's assessment, the victim identified a youth named Naveed as the perpetrator. Investigating Officer Taimoor confirmed that a suspect matching this description has since been apprehended and is scheduled for an identification parade.