LAHORE: The police have lodged a first information report (FIR) un­­d­er Section 20 of the Pre­vention of Electronic Cri­­­mes Act (Peca) 2016 and other relevant sections against those spreading “fake story” of alleged rape of a female student of a private college on social media to instigate students with a prime objective of creating violence, unrest and fear.

It is the first FIR registered since the alleged rape incident came to limelight, sparking protest by students, who took to the streets, following the social media posts alleging that the management of the Punjab College for Women, Gulberg, and the police hushed up the matter.

The Section 20 of Peca-2016 deals with “offences against dignity of a natural person”, while other sections include 354 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty); 500 (punishment for defamation); 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory); and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).

The FIR was registered by Defence A police on the complaint of a police official, Mohammad Sajjad, a few hours after a high-powered committee, constituted by the Punjab government to probe the alleged rape incident, finalised its interim report.

Headed by Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akthar Zaman, the committee had declared the incident a “fake story” and recommended action against those who spread false information.

It was alleged in the FIR that the posts regarding the alleged incident of rape of a 1st-year student of the private institute were made viral on social media with her name and other particulars, and the police approached many students for confirmation.

Later, the parents of the girl mentioned in these posts were also approached by the police, who “strongly denied” the incident, saying she had suffered a backbone injury when she fell down from the bed at her home and remained in hospital for treatment.

According to the FIR, the girl’s parents alleged that her video and pictures were uploaded on social media to defame her and her family.

The complainant, in the FIR, termed the entire episode a conspiracy to provoke the students against the government institutions.

Consequently, he said, the “fake information” sparked a violent agitation, during which people lodged violent protest, setting goods on fire and causing financial loss to the public property and the educational institution.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024