PESHAWAR:
An inquiry committee investigating a rape case in Karak recommended a DNA test for the victim and the alleged rapists to determine the parentage of the foetus.
The committee found flaws in the rape investigation and requested the chief minister for the immediate constitution of a medical board to determine Sakina’s* exact age, who claimed to have been abducted and raped according to an application filed by her mother on August 26, 2010 before the court at Takht-i-Nusrati, reveal documents obtained by The Express Tribune.
Sakina had accused 13 persons of abduction and rape, including Station House Officer Sarwar*, Sub-inspector Sameer* and Assistant Sub-inspector Shahid*, in her statement before the court of magistrate on October 13. The committee, formed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti, is headed by Home Secretary Azam Khan and comprises DIG Investigation Nisar Ahmed Khan and Kohat Commissioner Sahibzada Muhammad Anis.
The documents state that “The accused had denied the charges and that neither the allegations of the complainant nor the denials of the accused were thoroughly investigated by the local police and the investigating team.” The major lapses, the documents point out, include the determination of Sakina’s age, examination of the accused to ascertain their potency, DNA tests and the failure to hold an identification parade in view of the victim’s statement.
The home secretary has proposed to rectify the deficiencies in the investigation and nominated Kohat SSP Atiqullah Khan as the investigation officer.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the home secretary said it was his duty to investigate the matter thoroughly to make it easier for the court to decide the case.
“If the flaws in the investigation are not identified, the culprits will benefit and will be acquitted by the courts,” he added. The committee already suspended Sarwar*, Shahid* and Sameer* during the investigation.
According to Sakina’s statement, the police officers raided her house, dragged her out and handed her over to some people, who kept her for seven months and then sold her to another group, which detained her for another three months. She said she managed to escape while she was being taken to a third group. However, the case took a new turn on October 14, when the 13 accused appeared before the hearing committee and denied all the allegations, saying that they were being victimised by Sakina* for arresting her brother. Her brother was wanted in six different cases, including murder and kidnapping for ransom.
*Names have been changed to protect identity
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2011.
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