Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Asif Mehmood acquitted a man accused of raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter, citing insufficient evidence in a case in Rawalpindi. The court ruled that the accusations were baseless and ordered his immediate release from Adiala Jail.
The case, filed on June 15, 2023, in Islamabad’s Lohi Bher police jurisdiction, involved allegations from the victim’s mother, Safia Bibi, who accused her husband, whom she married in 2019, of repeatedly assaulting her daughter. Safia has three daughters from a previous marriage, aged 14, 12, and 11.
Read more: Nishtar Medical University Student Abducted and Raped by University Employee
The defense attorney, Advocate Chaudhry Abid Hussain Chohan, argued that the claims lacked evidence, pointing out contradictions in the statements made by Safia Bibi and her daughters. Both forensic and medical reports failed to support the allegations, leading the court to declare the case unfounded.
Advocate Chohan emphasized the seriousness of the accusation and stated that no one should be punished without evidence. He also called for strict action against those who file false accusations, stressing the harm caused to his client’s reputation and finances. The court highlighted the importance of credible evidence and criticized the misuse of the legal system.
The attorney urged the City Police Officer (CPO) to form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to handle such cases effectively and pointed out other instances of false accusations in Rawalpindi, including cases involving well-known religious figures. The ruling raised concerns about how sensitive cases are handled and the need for balanced approaches to protect both victims and the falsely accused.
