RAWALPINDI:
The investigating officer of Sadiqabad police station, who was probing the alleged rape case of a 13-year-old domestic worker, has been suspended from duty for allegedly declaring the real accused innocent and falsely implicating a domestic worker. The victim is believed to be seven months pregnant.
Sub-inspector Taimoor Waqar was suspended and ordered to report to the police following serious allegations that he accepted a large bribe, declared the accused innocent after his arrest and falsely implicated a 15-year-old domestic worker, Abdul Wahab, who had joined the household only four months ago.
A formal investigation against the officer was opened and a female SI was appointed as the new investigating officer, with orders to conduct the investigation again.
Meanwhile, the DNA test of arrested minor Abdul Wahab was completed in Lahore. While appearing before Civil Duty Magistrate Talal Arshad, the court was informed by the investigating officer that the DNA examination had been carried out and the investigation was completed and no further physical detention was required.
The court accordingly remanded the accused to Adiala jail, ordering that he be produced again on February 10, along with the presentation of the challan (charge sheet).
During the court proceedings, the defendant’s father and maternal uncle also appeared and presented motions disclosing significant new allegations. Abdul Wahab’s uncle, Muhammad Ashraf, formally requested a new investigation, saying his nephew started working in the residence of the house owner, Adil, only four months ago, while the victim is seven months pregnant and is believed to have worked in the same house for two to three years. He further said that the FIR had initially named as the main accused the house owner, Adil, who was arrested but later declared innocent and released, while his nephew – who the family claimed never even saw the victim – was later arrested instead.
The victim’s unrelated guardian, Ghulam Fatima, who had brought the girl from Faisalabad to Rawalpindi, is also said to have gone missing, along with the owner of the house. The uncle of the accused leveled allegations of corruption against the suspended IO, claiming that Rs 20,000 was taken from him for transporting the accused from Rawalpindi police station to the forensic laboratory in Lahore for DNA testing.
He alleged that the vehicle used belonged to the first accused, Adil, who also paid for the fuel, and that the victim and his guardian were released after accepting a bribe.
Speaking to The Express PK Press Club, another uncle, Shafiq, demanded a fresh probe and said the family intended to approach the chief minister in Lahore for justice.
Defense lawyer Rizwan Advocate said it was a simple criminal case, noting that according to the medical board, the victim is seven months pregnant, while the arrested accused joined the house only four months ago, indicating that the alleged offense occurred before his employment.
(Name withheld to protect victim’s identity)
