DNA test ordered in minor's rape case

RAWALPINDI:

A new development has emerged in the rape and seven-month pregnancy case of a 13-year-old domestic worker registered at Sadiqabad Police Station.

A newly arrested 15-year-old domestic worker stated before the court that he had been employed in the house only four months ago, while the girl is seven months pregnant, and claimed he had never even met her.

Civil Judge Adil Sarwar Sial approved a further four-day physical remand of the newly arrested accused and ordered a DNA test, directing that the report be submitted on January 27.

Meanwhile, the first accused, the homeowner, along with his wife, has disappeared after locking the house. The guardian of the victim has returned to her village in Jaranwala, Faisalabad.

Additional Sessions Judge Afshan Ejaz Soofi refused to hand over the victim to her guardian and instead sent the girl to the Child Protection Bureau. The court has also summoned the victim's elder married sister from Karachi to appear before the Rawalpindi court next week.

The 15-year-old domestic worker was nominated by the guardian woman, a claim also confirmed by the victim, who had earlier declared the house owner innocent after his arrest.

The newly arrested accused was produced in court, where the court questioned the investigating officer about the progress made during the three-day physical remand. The investigating officer failed to provide a satisfactory answer and said a DNA test was required.

The court approved the request for a DNA test and granted a four-day physical remand instead of seven days.