Tainted justice: Rape victim’s mother wants security

Claims accused, daughter’s husband pressuring her to take the case back.


Our Correspondents May 10, 2014
Sultana alleged that on May 6, both the accused raped her daughter after which her husband Zulfiqar went to Shakardara police station along with his wife to file an FIR. PHOTO: FILE

HANGU/ KOHAT:


A rape victim who was due to appear in court on Saturday was reportedly beaten up by her husband a day earlier after she refused to withdraw the case against the accused, among whom is the brother of deputy speaker of the provincial assembly Imtiaz Qureshi.


Talking to journalists in Kohat on Saturday, Tajwar Sultana, the rape victim’s mother, said the rape case of her daughter was filed against the deputy speaker’s brother Safdar Qureshi and his cousin Asmatullah Qureshi.

Sultana alleged that on May 6, both the accused raped her daughter after which her husband Zulfiqar went to Shakardara police station along with his wife to file an FIR. After the case was lodged and the suspects were sent on a day’s judicial remand on Friday, Zulfiqar started pressuring his wife to settle the case, she said. “He said he was threatened by the accused”.

Sultana said her daughter told Zulfiqar she would not give up and will fight for justice after which her husband beat her blue on Friday evening. She was taken to Kohat divisional hospital in critical condition, said the mother, adding, “My daughter can hardly talk due to the beating”. The victim was thus unable to appear in court on Saturday.

The rape victim’s mother claimed her son-in-law has struck a deal with the deputy speaker and his brother for a million rupees and is now trying to stop his wife from appearing before the court so the accused can be set free. Sultana said she too has been threatened by her son-in-law but will not forgive the accused. “I demand security for my daughter even if it means protecting her from her own husband,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2014.

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