LAHORE- Weeks after thirteen armed men gang-raped two women including a two-month-pregnant lady in the Shujabad area in the suburb of Multan, a high-level team headed by Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Friday visited the crime scene and collect information about the brutal assault.
Ironically, the local police had refused to register the gang-rape case against the influential men when father of the victims approached the police to get justice. The Punjab Chief Minister took notice of the incident after the local media highlighted the heinous crimes and agony of the poor family.
A police spokesperson said on Friday that accompanied by Home Secretary Punjab, Head of Intelligence Bureau and DIG (Monitoring & Investigation) Akhter Hayyat Lalika, the acting-IGP, Khan Baig, reached Shujabad on Friday morning and collected particulars of the criminal case. Multan RPO Ali Amir Malik, CPO Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, SSPs of the Operation and Investigation wings were also part of the fact-finding team.
The high-level team reviewed the case in detail and also recorded the statements of victims and their family members as well. Taking stringent action against the local police, IGP Khan Baig has suspended from service the SHO of the Raja Ram police station and Investigation Officer, ASI Muhammad Ilyas.
An inquiry has also been ordered against the policemen for using delaying tactics in registration of case against the criminals. “An FIR has also been lodged against the policemen for negligence in discharging official duties in a rape case of two women,” the police spokesperson added. The IGP was informed that thirteen culprits had been arrested so far and further investigation was underway. Khan Baig has also directed the officers that the culprits nominated in the FIR should be taken to task after holding a transparent enquiry on merit.
It may be recalled that the rape incident took place occurred on June 3, 2013. The victims are said to be sisters-in-law who had been gang-raped in front of male members of their family at gunpoint.
Transferred: Acting Inspector General of Police, Khan Baig, on Friday ordered the transfers and postings of nine police officers including two officers of the rank of SSP.
Officials said that Muhammad Rizwan, AIG Discipline (CPO Punjab) was transferred and posted as Lahore SSP (Operations) whereas Abdul Jabbar was transferred and posted as AIG Discipline.
Similarly, Khalid Mehmood was posted as Lahore SDPO Iqbal Town Circle and Shams-ul-Haq was transferred and posted as SDPO Islampura Circle. Faisalabad SDPO Gulberg Circle Nasir Mahmood Bajwa was transferred and posted as Lahore SDPO Mugalpura Circle while ASP Dr. Nida Umar Chatha was posted as Lahore SDPO Garden Town Circle. Aftab Ahmad WAS transferred and posted as Lahore SDPO Model Town Circle. Muhammad Mushtaq was transferred to Lahore SDPO Manawan Circle while Qaisar Mushtaq was transferred and posted as Lahore SDPO Chung Circle.