HYDERABAD:
Six policemen of Jacobabad district police have been arrested and booked for gang-raping a minor girl in custody as the victim’s family, community and civil society complain that they have spared other suspects, including the SHO, from the case. District SSP Muhammad Kaleem Malik on Monday confirmed that his own investigation found that the allegations made by A* Khoso, 17, daughter of Khuda Bux Khoso, and her family were true.
“The ladies were arrested as suspects in a murder case. One night [Saturday night] “The SHO went on leave and that night the manager took the keys of that room and six policemen raped her,” Malik told the media. However, the victim’s family, Khoso community elders and civil society representatives led by lawyer Zubeda Jakhrani rejected the FIR, accusing the SSP of trying to protect the SHO of RD-52 police station, whose cops raped the girl.
The FIR was lodged following the complaint of Noor Khatoon Khoso, grandmother, under sections 375 A, 334, 506/2, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Assistant sub-inspector Mehrab Khan Sundrani, head constable Abdul Nabi Abro and constables Barkat Ali Jkhrani, Khadim Ali Jakhrani, Ghulam Yaseen Jakhrani and Mir Hassan Abro have been named in the case.
The victim and her sister Farzana, aged 15, as well as their grandmother were arrested on January 7 around 4 p.m. They were reportedly detained in a private location with male police officers. The alleged rape incident occurred on the night of January 12 and the next day they were released.
The complainant alleged that they were held hostage by the police to put pressure on some men in her family accused of being involved in a murder FIR. The family also complained of harassment by police to prevent them from seeking justice.
Lawyer Zubeda Jakhrani said that during the raid on their home, police also looted the dowry of the rape victim, whose wedding is scheduled for next month, as well as the goats. “Thanks to robberies, robberies, murders and kidnappings, the police have already lost confidence and such incidents now arouse hatred among the population.”
The lawyer, who helped the family in registering the FIR, medical examination of the victim and campaigning for justice, questioned why the detainees were not guarded by the police. “Where are the women’s protection cells?
