Rumours of silencing victim, proposing settlements abound. PHOTO: FILE
Delaying tactics are allegedly being employed by the Rawalpindi police in order to avoid arresting two cops accused of rape. The incident, which took place in the jurisdiction of Saddar Bairuni Police Station, is allegedly being sidelined by the police, who sources in the department claimed were helping the accused to get pre-arrest bail.
The Saddar Bairuni police registered a first information report (FIR) on December 24 against two cops for allegedly kidnapping a married woman and sexually assaulting her for eight days. However, no significant effort to arrest the accused cops has been made by the police so far. Sources from the department said the police are not only stalling the arrest, but also pressuring the victim to alter her statement in the FIR and reach a settlement with the accused.
They accused the investigation officer for the case of using delaying tactics, providing a chance for their brothers-in-arms to get pre-arrest bail. In addition to this, the police have also failed to get a statement from the victim registered before the magistrate.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Maroof Khan*, father of the 22-year-old victim, Saima*, said that the police officials responsible for kidnapping and raping his daughter are now threatening him to force him to settle with them. Speaking through tears, he lamented that the policemen ruined his daughter’s life. “Two month back I married her off. It was a new beginning...but the cops have destroyed her life,” Khan added.
He said main accused Fayaz*, a constable attached to the Cantt deputy superintendent of police (DSP), was a tenant at Khan’s house in Chak Jalaluddin. On December 11, he kidnapped Saima and kept her in illegal confinement on the property of his accomplice Qasim*in Chakri where both cops sexually assaulted her. They left her at Darul Aman on December 18 whence she was recovered.
At the time, Constable Qasim was performing duties at Police Lines.
The Saddar Bairuni police registered an FIR on the complaint of Saima’s husband Atif*on December 24. When investigating officer Sub Inspector Khalid Mahmood was contacted, he confirmed that the accused cops are still at large. When asked to comment on the rumours about the police trying to save the cops by facilitating pre-arrest bails and pressurising the victim to change her statement, he denied them.
He added that the accused cops have no other option but to surrender or get pre-arrest bail, and that he is trying to arrest the accused cops at the earliest.
*Names changed to protect identity
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2014.
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I read the whole article, it may be true but there is not one credible source to confirm this news. All over the article, it's written that these are rumours and allegations. Perhaps it isn't wise to post something which may clearly be false, what the media does here is treacherous. What if there are other reasons for this delay, what proof is there that this is at all part of some plan.
Firstly, you're portraying a very bad picture of Pakistan as a whole. Secondly, and more importantly, how do you expect the police to stay motivated when the media only highlights its shortcomings and completely neglects its achievements. There have been policemen who've laid down their life for protection of the people of Pakistan, completely neglected. But when he rapes someone, it's given so much more attention. Not to say that it shouldn't get attention but your approach is so one sided, it destroys morale and discourages people from even joining it.
The point is, maybe the media should show the good sides of our police force as well. Time to accept that the media has a hand in the joke-image of our police. And portray heroes the way Malala was portrayed, many of them have deserved that attention too.
Where is the baldy now ? Lest we forget, he starts his theatrics one year before the elections. Hum nai badla hai punjab. right! In six continuous years and 30 years on and off in this province, they have not been able to improve the police by a slight margin.
Befriend cops at your own risk.