KARACHI: Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested a man for his alleged involvement in harassing girl students of the University of Karachi when they were travelling in a van.

A police spokesperson said that a week ago the suspect riding a motorbike had committed obscene acts while chasing the van of the girls near UBL Sports Complex. An FIR was registered at the Jauharabad police station and efforts were made to locate his whereabouts, he added.

He said that with the help of technology, the police finally arrested the suspect, identified as Adeel Zafar.

The police claimed to have recovered a small quantity of heroin from his possession.

Last week, a video of the incident made by an occupant of the van had gone viral on social media, sparking public outrage over the rising crime of harassment against women.

The police registered a case under Sections 294 (obscene acts and songs), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 509 (insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2023