The Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The police could have saved the rape victim but they did not do so, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said during the hearing of the Muzaffargarh rape case in the Supreme Court.
In its initial order, the court told Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khan Baig to form a three-member committee headed by Additional IG Investigation to further investigate the matter and submit a report on the case in 10 days.
A sessions judge also sent investigating officer Rana Zulfiqar on three-day physical remand. The officer, who had earlier said that that the accused were innocent and that’s why they were released on bail, was apprehended on March 16 under the Anti-Terrorism Act and was presented before the court today.
Assault case
The 18-year-old rape victim had set herself on fire on March 13 in front of the Mir Hazar Khan police station after hearing that the suspects who had allegedly raped her were granted bail. With 70% of her body burnt, the girl had succumbed to her injuries on March 14 in the hospital.
On March 16, the police had also rounded up the main suspect Nadir Hussain and had secured his three-day judicial remand for further investigation and recovery of ammunition.
Three policemen were also rounded up on March 16, a day after Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered their arrest on charges of criminal negligence and failing to investigate the rape in Muzaffargarh.
On March 14, Shahbaz had also given a cheque for Rs 500,000 to the mother of the victim and announced that her brother would be given a job.
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This is not country, this is circus. Its very painful, it seems that citizen of this militaristic state will have to die for justice first.
This is a horrible incident I still in doubt we are living in human society what a terrible incident. May Allah rest her soul in peace.
Good work SC.There should be strict punishment to make an example for other lazy officers.
@aphtab: How did the Supreme Court conclude that it was police negligence.
It doesn't require rocket science to figure that out unless one is mentally challenged.
Wah Pakistan wah!
Why there are no women police stations to deal with such cases. Why a male police officer investigated this case. IGP should answer.
Imagine the sense helplessness and agony of the 18 year old sister who decided to kill herself due to injustice. Since justice won't be served sadly, therefore I hope n' pray that those who solicited this rape, committed it and those who backed them all die the same death or worse. For they will surely repay hereafter.
How did the Supreme Court conclude that it was police negligence. This should have been the conclusion on completion of the due process.
Some one needs to tell CM Shahbaz Sharif that he just cannot react on media reports. He has the responsibility to do something concrete to minimize such incidents in future. Reportedly, around 200 such cases had taken place last year in just one district (Muzaffargarh) only.
It is not negligence but another crime of punjab police, SC should use the hardest possible words for this heinous crime against Humanity, We as a society has no right to exist
Nothing will happen soon the accomplice policemen will be back on their seats to promote more such crimes and make money. These policemen and criminals should have been punished severely but keeping in mind all such crimes in past nothing will happen to them
Mr. C.M. Sir, Please fix the problem and be called a "leader" rather than resorting to usual whitewash and be called a "ruler"!
But long term thinking or visionary leadership is not within the forte of "fortune-seeking-short-terms-rulers" of Pakistan.
thanks for reconfirmation SC but someone needs to tell if there would be action against the culprits- until that happens, everything else is just talk