Punjab police have refuted claims related to the alleged rape of a private college student, stating that “no victim” is linked to the allegations that sparked a violent protest in Lahore the day before.
A group of students had gathered outside a private college on Monday, following viral social media reports of an alleged rape involving a female student. The protest soon turned violent, resulting in clashes between students and police, leaving at least 28 people injured.
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Although the protest was eventually halted, demonstrators planned to resume their action the following day. The police had arrested a college security guard accused of the rape and initiated an investigation. However, the suspect denied the allegations, and police found no evidence to substantiate the claims.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Defence Shehrbano Naqvi, speaking on Geo Pakistan on Tuesday, clarified that the girl in question had been hospitalized 10 days before the alleged incident. Medical records and hospital documentation confirmed that she had fallen at her home while preparing for school. ASP Naqvi explained that two girls at the college had the same name, one of whom was fine, while the other was hospitalized. She emphasized that if there were any other victims, the police had provided multiple platforms for reporting such cases and encouraged any affected family to come forward.
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Regarding allegations that CCTV footage of the incident had been deleted, ASP Naqvi said the police had no information on that matter. She urged those spreading the claims to provide videos or evidence to support their accusations.
Meanwhile, students continued to stage protests outside the Punjab Assembly despite heavy police presence. Protesters, including alumni from the private college and students from Government College University, held placards demanding justice for the alleged victim. The protests were organized by the Progressive Students Collective, an alliance of students from various colleges and universities, which called for the creation of a human rights committee composed of judges and female students to handle harassment complaints.
Similar protests were held in other cities across the province, including Multan, Jahanian, and Zafarwal. In Multan, some students vandalized a college, leading to their arrest after police intervened. In Zafarwal, students blocked a road and set tires on fire.
In a video message alongside ASP Naqvi, the girl’s father and uncle denied the rape allegations, explaining that the girl had sustained a back injury from a fall at home and was currently receiving treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). They expressed surprise at the protests being held in her name.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has since formed a high-level committee to investigate the allegations. The six-member committee, led by the Punjab chief secretary, includes various government officials and has been tasked with submitting a report within 48 hours. The investigation will cover all aspects of the case, including the college administration’s response and the police’s actions.