A woman allegedly abducted and gang raped by four men has led to police being found guilty of negligence. Officers opened a case in the city of Gaggo Mandi, Pakistan, on Tuesday (August 25), some four months after the suspects are alleged to have committed the crime.
Investigation into alleged cover-up
A probe was carried out into the incident by a senior officer who recommended action against a police deputy, station officer and other officials, Pakistani media reports. They were found guilty of negligence and inaction.
Police sources cited by news site dawn.com said the woman was allegedly abducted on May 1 and taken to a house where she was allegedly gang-raped. She managed to escape and went to a police station in Burewala Saddar, where some staff are alleged to have attempted to cover up the allegation and register her report.
Senior officer orders case to proceed
Undeterred, the woman complained to the Punjabi Inspector General of Police, who ordered an officer to investigate. Inquiry officer Hassan Raza found the officers guilty of negligence and ordered the station to pursue the woman's case. Mr Raza also recommended action against those for negligence and not responding adequately to the complaint.
Wider context of sexual violence in Pakistan
The case underlines efforts to tackle sexual violence in Pakistan and secure justice for victims. Legal reforms have been introduced to help in the fight, but reported research suggests more needs to be done to implement the changes.
In a report, human rights organisation Equality Now put Pakistan's 0.5% conviction rate for rape in part down to long delays in investigations. It said: "One of the major barriers to accessing justice identified by survivors is long delays in police investigation, medical examination, prosecution and trial of rape cases, which reportedly may take 2–3 years to conclude."
The group said the 0.5% conviction rate in rape cases was "dismal" and was tantamount to impunity for perpetrators. This compares to figures from the Crown Prosecution Service published in April, which show UK conviction rates for rape at 63.4%.
