In Rawalpindi, a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and filmed during the assault.
Following the incident, on the 15th of July, Waris Khan Police Station registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 354 (assault on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment, and 34 (acts done by several persons with common intention) against “intoxicated young men”.
Sexual assault survivor withdraws her statement
However, the recent statement from the victim in the rape case has turned the facts upside down.
The victim has suddenly withdrawn her statement recorded on the 22nd of July. Initially, she named and accused three drunken men of gang-raping her at knifepoint, making a video and posting it online.
However, in her latest statement, before the Additional District and Sessions Judge, she stated: “I have no dispute with these men. The video was made viral by unknown people. I do not want to proceed with the case any further. I have no objection if the court decides for their acquittal or bail.” sexual assault
Read More: Woman gang-raped infront of husband, children in Sargodha
Could she have been bribed to withdraw her statement?
The assaulted teenager also went missing for a brief period. Some locals said that she had sought shelter with the transgender community, while others claimed that they had not seen the girl in the neighborhood before. sexual assault
Thirty-two days after the accused’s arrest, the 17-year-old girl re-surfaced and took back all the claims she had made in her previous statement. She also denied any connection with Arsalan, the main suspect seen assaulting her in the video.
Court officials say “It is not unusual for the accused to pressurize or bribe the victim into withdrawing their statement. It is the easiest way for the accused to seek bail or acquittal. Even if she has given the second statement under pressure, the court holds the authority to divulge the truth and provide justice and protection to the victim.”
Read More: WATCH: Iffat Omar mocks PM Imran for proposing changes to rape punishments
Previous rape investigation
The two men, accused of the crime, were arrested immediately after the FIR. The third suspect was also arrested; however, he was granted bail by the court against a Rs. 50,000 surety bond.