Lahore Court grants bail to suspect in alleged gang-rape case involving foreign women
The decision came after arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ali Gondal approved the bail petition and directed the suspect to submit surety bonds before his release.
During the hearing, state prosecutor Mehwish Farooq opposed the bail request, arguing that the prosecution had sufficient evidence to support the charges against the suspect. She maintained that the available evidence supported the police investigation.
However, defence counsel Advocate Salman Shahid rejected the allegations and claimed that his client had been falsely implicated in the Lahore rape case due to an unfair and selective investigation.
Defence Raises Questions Over Evidence
The defence lawyer argued that the FIR did not mention any specific role or direct allegation against his client. He also pointed out that police had not conducted an identification parade to establish the suspect’s involvement.
Another major argument concerned the suspect’s DNA test, which the defence claimed had returned a negative result.
The lawyer further told the court that his client was working as a member of the janitorial staff at the property allegedly used for the incident.
He argued that the absence of direct allegations, identification evidence and a positive DNA result raised serious questions about his client’s involvement in the foreign women gang rape case.
After hearing both sides, the court accepted the bail petition, subject to the submission of surety bonds.
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Eight Suspects Already Indicted
Police initially arrested four suspects in the case, including an individual related to a senior political figure. Investigators later arrested additional suspects, including the petitioner who has now been granted bail.
In a recent development, a court indicted eight suspects in the foreign women gang rape case and directed the prosecution to present its witnesses.
The indictment means that formal charges have been framed against the accused. The trial will now continue as the prosecution presents evidence to support its allegations.
FIR Registered Under Multiple Legal Sections
Defence-C police registered the FIR in July under Sections 365-A, 375-A, 201, 368 and 337-L (II) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
These sections cover offences including kidnapping for ransom, rape, disappearance of evidence, wrongful confinement and certain types of physical injury.
The Lahore rape case will now proceed through the legal process, where the prosecution and defence will present their respective evidence and arguments.
