Key Takeaways
- A prayer leader accused of raping a 10-year-old girl was injured and arrested.
- The incident occurred when the suspect tried to flee from police.
- First information report filed on July 28 under Section 376 of Pakistan Penal Code.
Chakwal: A prayer leader accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl was injured and subsequently arrested after his pistol discharged during an attempted escape, according to local police.
The incident took place on Thursday when a team from the Wanhar police went to arrest the suspect. In his attempt to flee, the prayer leader fell, causing his concealed weapon to discharge, resulting in injuries.
A first information report (FIR) was registered against the prayer leader on July 28 by the father of the 10-year-old victim under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The FIR details were provided to Dawn.
According to the complaint, the girl’s father stated that his elder daughter had been attending Quran lessons at a mosque in Munara village with other children, including her sister. On July 28, the younger child returned home early while the elder one came back crying.
The elder daughter told her mother that she was asked to stay behind and go into a room where the prayer leader allegedly raped her. The girl also claimed he had shown her a knife and threatened to kill her if she disclosed what happened.
Wanhar police have been investigating the case, which has sparked concern in the local community about the safety of children at religious institutions.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing allegations of sexual abuse within religious settings. Local authorities are urging parents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.
In a statement, Chakwal police confirmed that they would continue their investigation into the case and ensure the safety of children attending religious classes.
