LAHORE: A joint fact-finding mission by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and AGHS Legal Aid Cell has stated that, without forensic evidence or credible testimonies, it is impossible to verify widespread allegations that a student was sexually assaulted at a private college in Lahore last month.

The mission noted a series of events that have heightened suspicion and distrust among students at Punjab College Campus 10. These events included a spate of social media posts making unverified allegations of rape, contradictory statements from government representatives — who initially endorsed and later denied the claims — and a delayed, inadequate response from the college administration.

The mission condemned the use of “disproportionate force” by police against hundreds of students who protested at Campus 10 on Oct 14, demanding justice for the alleged victim, only to be met with police violence.

Further analysis of online engagement suggested that other parties may have exploited the students’ narrative to extend their own social media reach, the mission said.

TikToker remanded for claiming to be mother of alleged rape victim

The mission observed that the students’ protest underlined dissatisfaction with campus security, perceived incidents of harassment and a lack of trust in the college administration and police. The mission believes that the intensity of students’ ire should not be discounted solely because of the apparent role of misinformation. At the same time, the damage wrought by pervasive misinformation is grounds for strong, regular public campaigns on digital literacy and fact-checking.

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Among other recommendations, the mission suggests conducting a forensic investigation of the CCTV footage collected on Campus 10 over the first two weeks of October and holding the police accountable for violence against student protesters as well as for detaining a person accused of the alleged offence in the absence of an FIR against him.

The mission strongly believes, however, that concerns of harassment and sexual violence on campus must always be taken seriously and effective anti-harassment committees instituted on all campuses that can be accessed easily by students while respecting their right to confidentiality.

TikToker remanded for false claim

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court on Friday granted Gulberg police a six-day physical remand for a TikToker, Sara Khan, who claimed to be the mother of an alleged rape victim at Punjab College.

Police presented Ms Khan in court, seeking a 14-day remand. The investigating officer stated that the suspect recorded a video in which she claimed to be the mother of the alleged victim and posted it on her TikTok account. The video quickly went viral, adding to the controversy around the case.

The officer told the court that the suspect had been charged with making a false claim, inciting public sentiment against authorities and encouraging violence.

Judge Manzer Ali Gill approved a six-day remand, specifying that Ms Khan — a Karachi resident with a permanent address in Multan — would remain in police custody from sunrise to sunset and spend nights in judicial custody.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024