ISLAMABAD: The law ministry on Wednesday examined the available evidence in the couple harassment case in which the female complainant has retracted from her allegations and decided that the state would prosecute the accused, vowing to take the case to its logical end.

The victim on Tuesday submitted an affidavit before the additional district and sessions judge of Islamabad, Atta Rabbani, and distanced herself from the complaint lodged by Golra police against a gang led by Usman Mirza which allegedly stripped her, made her objectionable video and also blackmailed and extorted money from her as well as her friend.

While police sources termed the latest development in the case as an out-of-court settlement, the law ministry deliberated upon the matter at a high-level meeting headed by Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem, and participated by Parliamentary Secretary on Law Maleeka Ali Bokhari, Inspector General of Police Islamabad Ahsan Younas and other senior officers of the capital police.

The participants evaluated the available evidence including the video footage, photogrammetry evidence and other corroborative material. It was decided in the meeting that the state would prosecute the accused and pursue the case since it was the responsibility of the government and the Islamabad police to take the accused to the dock. The meeting also decided that official security would be provided to the victim couple.

Ms Bokhari said the accused would be strictly dealt with in accordance with law.

The sexual harassment case surfaced when a video of four people holding a couple at gunpoint, forcing them to strip and then beating them up went viral on social media in July 2021.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken notice of the incident and directed strict action against the accused.

Initially, an FIR was registered under section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 354A (assault or use of criminal force against woman and stripping her of her clothes), 506 (ii) (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Pakistan Penal Code. However, later sections pertaining to rape, sexual abuse, extortion and wrongful confinement were added to the FIR.

In September, charges were framed against the primary accused Usman Mirza and co-accused Hafiz Attaur Rehman, Adaras Qayyum Butt, Rehan, Umar Bilal Marwat, Mohib Bangash and Farhan Shaheen.

In July, the victims had identified three accused in an identification parade at Adiala Jail.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2022