LAHORE: A Lahore High Court full bench on Wednesday directed the advocate general and the prosecutor general of Punjab to submit reports on measures taken to preserve evidence and samples in sexual assault cases.

Headed by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, the bench was hearing a petition regarding preservation of evidence and samples in sexual assault cases. Justice Farooq Haider and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa were other members of the bench.

Punjab Advocate General Khalid Ishaq, Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah, other law officers and experts from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency appeared before the court.

Petitioner Salman Tahir, through counsel Mian Dawood, pleaded that Millat Park police registered a case against him on the charge of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. He said a female doctor from the Services Hospital issued a bogus and illegal medical certificate, including the two-finger test for the victim.

The counsel further argued that there were no adequate standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place to preserve samples from the suspects and the victims in sexual assault cases.

At this, the bench directed the advocate general and the prosecutor general of Punjab to submit reports detailing the steps taken and the SOPs related to the preservation of evidence and samples from the accused and victims in such cases.

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The bench also sought a detailed report on the implementation of the Anti-Rape Act across the province and the presence of female investigation officers in the investigation of sexual assault cases.

The bench also inquired about the appointment of trained female medical officers for medical examination of young victims of sexual assault.

The hearing was adjourned until Oct 16.

On July 2, the Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department told the LHC that Dr Alize Gill of the Services Hospital had been terminated for performing a two-finger test (virginity test) of the minor rape victim.

Plea dismissed: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Wednesday dismissed a petition of PTI leader Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan with a cost of Rs100,000.

Mr Dewan had filed the petition through advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq seeking details of cases registered against him.

Pointing out errors in the petition, the chief justice noted that a new petition is filed immediately after leaving the court, which contributes to the rising number of cases in the high court.

Dismissing the petition with cost, the chief justice observed that the petition had been filed unnecessarily.

The petition claimed that cases were being filed against the petitioner based on political vendetta, and he was unaware of the details of the cases.

It asked the court to order provision of information regarding the cases registered against Dewan.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2024