Karak rape case: Six suspects test negative

PHC orders police to take more blood samples with victim’s help.

PESHAWAR:

The much-awaited DNA paternity tests of 14 people in the Karak rape case proved to be an anti-climax, as six accused persons tested negative.

Alleged rape victim Uzma Ayub had accused 13 people, including three police officials and an army official, of raping her after she was abducted and kept in custody for 13 months. When she returned home, she was pregnant, and gave birth to a baby girl, Zeba, in January.

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) had ordered DNA tests of both Uzma and Zeba to ascertain the parentage of the baby girl.

While the DNA test reports show that Zeba’s biological mother is Uzma Ayub, the identity of her father remains a mystery.

Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court Justice Dost Muhammad Khan unsealed the envelope containing the DNA results of 14 people, including Uzma, her daughter Zeba, six accused persons and six suspected persons.

“The DNA tests of the suspected accused Zahid Iqbal, Atifullah, Imran Khan, Muhammad Iqbal, Jumma Din and Jamal Anwar have been found negative,” Justice Dost said.

However, Uzma said that four unidentified persons, who kept her during the last days of her abduction, should also be investigated.

“Uzma said she will provide further evidence about some suspected persons. The investigation team should also look into the matter”, the chief justice said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2012.