Heinous crime: Pregnant rape victim asked to deliver baby

Attacker arrested; doctors say chances of child’s survival are slim.

MANSEHRA:

It took about eight months for a rape victim to report her attacker, who threatened to kill her and her family members if she told anyone. The teenage victim is now pregnant and her attacker behind bars. The court has bound her to give birth to the illegitimate child, whose chances of survival are slim, police and hospital sources said on Wednesday.

Bisma* Bibi, 14, daughter of Muhammad Badar*, an industrial worker in Gujranwala, told the Darband Police that about eight and half months back, she was home alone when a neighbour, Fazal*, showed up at her house. He forcibly took her into a room and raped her. When she tried to put up resistance, the accused threatened to kill her and her family members. Bisma accused Afzal of raping her repeatedly for several days. She said her mother did not pay heed when she told her about the biological changes she was undergoing.

The police have registered a criminal case against Afzal and arrested him under section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. He has been remanded for three days for investigation, police said.

The police took Bibi for medical examination to Ayub Medical Complex (AMC) Abbottabad, where doctors confirmed that she was eight months pregnant. However, the doctor said that since the mother was physically weak, delivery will be carried out through Caesarean section, which may result in complications.

Meanwhile, the duty magistrate of Mansehra sent the victim home, making her bound through an order to ensure the protection of her child. Furthermore, the court has asked her to deliver the baby on the advice of doctors, who said that the delivery is expected within the next seven to 10 days.

*Names have been changed to protect identities

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2012.