Rape or false accusations?: Case takes new turn during inquiry

Suspects deny allegations, claim they are being victimised by the victim.

PESHAWAR:

A rape case in Karak District took a new turn on Friday, as the 13 accused people appeared before the hearing committee and said they were being victimised by the victim.

The committee, formed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister (CM) Ameer Haider Hoti to probe into the incident, is being presided by K-P Home Secretary Azam Khan.

Sakina*, the victim, however, stood firm in her statement, according to sources.

Sakina had alleged on Thursday, in the premises of Peshawar High Court, that she was at her house when Station House Officer (SHO) Sarwar*, Assistant Sub-Inspector Gharib* and Sub-Inspector Sameer* raided her house.

“They searched my house, dragged me out and handed me over to some people, who were waiting outside,” she said.

She added she was kept for seven months, raped and “sold” off to another group who kept her for three months. According to her statements, she managed to escape while she was being taken to a third group.

An official at the Home Department, asking not to be named, said that the suspects, who include a woman, appeared before the committee and denied all the charges levied against them, saying that they were being victimised for arresting Sakina’s brother.

According to documents obtained by The Express Tribune, her brother was wanted for six different cases, including murder and kidnapping for ransom.

Gharib said he and the other suspects were innocent and the charges levied against him were totally baseless.

A medical technician who Sakina said anesthetised her, said he could “not even think” about committing such an act.

“My fault is that I had filed a murder case against Alamzeb, who abducted my son three years ago and killed him,” he told The Express Tribune.

“I haven’t seen Sakina since then until today in the inquiry room,” he added.

Home Secretary Azam Khan, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that the inquiry was still underway and would take a few days. “We will try to finish the inquiry within the next five days and forward the report to the CM,” he said.

*Names have been changed to protect identity

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2011.