Key Takeaways
- A judicial magistrate has granted police custody of four suspects, including a relative of a senior political figure, for another five days.
- The case involves the alleged abduction and rape of two foreign women, with DNA and fingerprint tests already conducted.
- Suspects' counsel argues that media coverage is causing irreparable damage to their reputations.
A judicial magistrate in Lahore has extended the physical remand of four suspects for another five days in a case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women. The decision was made after a hearing at the Cantonment Courts, where the prosecution sought an extension to continue investigations.
The four suspects include a close relative of a senior political figure who has been implicated in the case. During the court proceedings, Advocate Salman Shahid, representing two of the suspects, opposed the request for further remand. He argued that his clients had no connection with the alleged offences and claimed that the matter was related to a cryptocurrency dispute.
Shahid stated that according to the police’s own version, the case did not involve rape or abduction but was linked to a financial disagreement. He highlighted that one of his clients worked as a security guard in Islamabad and had no involvement with cryptocurrency. The lawyer also questioned why another suspect, referred to as 'Boss', had not been produced before any court despite being arrested.
The prosecution informed the court that DNA and fingerprint tests had already been conducted on the suspects. They also mentioned that the police were still trying to recover a vehicle allegedly used in the crime, along with a laptop, cash, and weapons believed to be linked to the case.
In his arguments, Shahid alleged that extensive media coverage of the case was causing irreparable damage to the reputations of his clients. He argued that even if they were eventually acquitted, the damage caused by the media trial would remain. The lawyer also questioned why another suspect had not been produced before any court despite being arrested.
The magistrate ultimately extended the physical remand of all four suspects for five more days until July 13. This decision comes after last week's booking of five suspects over alleged abduction and sexual assault, with four of them being arrested and sent on a five-day physical remand. The remaining three suspects were also sent on a similar remand on Sunday.
On Monday, the two foreign nationals involved in the case departed Pakistan following their recovery. Police officials told Dawn that all eight suspects nominated over the alleged abduction and sexual assault had been arrested, including two high-profile individuals.
According to the police’s own version, the matter was not one of rape or abduction but was related to a cryptocurrency dispute.
Advocate Salman Shahid, Counsel for two suspects
Even if the suspects were eventually acquitted, the damage caused by extensive media coverage would be irreversible.
Advocate Salman Shahid, Counsel for two suspects
