Police say three suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged assault of an Azerbaijani woman, while one alleged main suspect remains at large.
WEB DESK: Lahore police have arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged gang rape of an Azerbaijani woman, according to DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Raza said the suspects were allegedly involved in the sexual assault of the foreign woman inside a flat in a private housing society in Lahore.
Police said the woman had travelled to Pakistan for business purposes in late September and was allegedly assaulted at a rented flat in Lahore’s Defence area.
Three suspects arrested
According to the latest police account, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
The development includes a woman accused of facilitating the alleged assault. A Lahore court on Saturday sent the female suspect to judicial remand after police said they no longer required her physical custody for further investigation.
Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood ordered that the accused be presented before the court again on October 17. She had completed a three-day physical remand before being sent to jail on judicial remand.
Police also said one alleged main suspect remains at large and expressed confidence that he would be arrested.
Police investigation continues
DIG Raza said the alleged incident took place inside a flat in a private housing society.
Police said the suspects allegedly took the woman’s purse and mobile phone after the incident. A passer-by reportedly contacted Emergency 15, prompting police intervention.
The woman, who is 22 according to the latest Geo report, had earlier recorded a statement before a judicial magistrate.
Police have said a medical examination was conducted as part of the investigation. The case remains under investigation, and allegations against the suspects have not been finally adjudicated by a court.
Earlier arrests and court proceedings
The case has been under investigation since late September, when police registered a case following the woman’s complaint.
Earlier reports said police had identified three men allegedly involved in the incident and arrested suspects as the investigation progressed. A Lahore court had previously granted police a six-day physical remand of two male suspects for investigation and forensic procedures.
The woman also recorded a statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a Lahore magistrate, according to reports from The News and The Express Tribune.
Medical and forensic evidence
Police previously said the woman underwent a medical examination following the alleged incident.
Earlier reporting quoted Lahore police officials as saying the medical findings supported a sexual-assault allegation, while forensic examination was being pursued as part of the investigation.
The investigation is expected to rely on statements, forensic evidence and other material collected by investigators.
Case remains under investigation
The latest development concerns arrests and court custody rather than a final determination of guilt.
The accused are entitled to due process, and allegations made during an investigation must be distinguished from findings established through judicial proceedings.
The court has ordered the female suspect to be presented again on October 17, while police continue efforts to locate the remaining alleged suspect.
