6 cops arrested for 'gang rape of teen in custody'

Six policemen of Jacobabad district police have been arrested and booked for gang rape of a minor girl in custody as the victim's family, community and the civil society complain of sparing some other suspects including the SHO from the case. The district's SSP Muhammad Kaleem Malik on Monday confirmed that his own investigation disclosed that allegations of 17-year-old A* Khoso, daughter of Khuda Bux Khoso, and her family were true.

"The ladies were detained as suspects in a murder case. One night [Saturday night] the SHO went on leave and that night the in charge took the keys of that room and six cops subjected her to rape," Malik told the media. However, the victim's family, elders of Khoso community and the civil society's representatives led by Advocate Zubeda Jakhrani have rejected the FIR, blaming the SSP for trying to protect SHO of RD-52 police station, whose cops raped the girl.

The FIR was lodged on complaint of Noor Khatoon Khoso, grandmother, under sections 375 A, 334, 506/2, 148 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code. Assistant Sub Inspector Mehrab Khan Sundrani, head constable Abdul Nabi Abro and constables Barkat Ali Jkhrani, Khadim Ali Jakhrani, Ghulam Yaseen Jakhrani and Mir Hassan Abro have been nominated in the case.

The victim and her 15 years old sister Farzana along with their grandmother were detained on January 7 at around 4 pm. They were allegedly kept in a private place along with male cops. The alleged incident of rape occurred on the night of January 12 and the next day they were released.

The complainant claimed that they were held hostage by the police to put pressure on some men of her family who were booked in a murder FIR. The family also complained about being harassed by the cops to stop them from seeking justice.

Advocate Zubeda Jakhrani alleged that during the police raid at their house the police also looted dowry of the rape victim, whose wedding is scheduled nextmonth, and the goats. "Thanks to the robberies, theft, killings and kidnappings, the police have already lost their trust and such incidents are now creating hatred among the people."

The lawyer, who helped the family in the registration of the FIR, the victim's medical check up and in the campaign for justice, questioned why the female detainees were not kept with the lady police. "Where are women's protection cells?"