Foreign woman records statement before magistrate in Lahore alleged rape case

LAHORE: A 20-year-old foreign woman on Monday recorded her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before a judicial magistrate in connection with an alleged sexual assault case, officials said.

The statement was recorded before Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Sagheer at the Cantt Kacheri amid tight security. The woman was brought to the court under heavy security and escorted out through a secure route afterwards.

Suspects still at large

Police said three people had been detained in connection with the case, but the three main suspects had not been arrested. Special teams were conducting raids to apprehend them, and steps had been taken to have their names placed on the Exit Control List, officials added.

Police had earlier said they had identified two of the three men allegedly involved. They also recovered the white Hyundai Sonata allegedly used to transport the woman from the house of a relative of the main suspect. The vehicle was moved to the Defence C police station for investigation.

According to police, the woman reported that two unidentified women took her to a café where three men were present. She alleged that the group then took her to a flat, where she was given an intoxicating substance and sexually assaulted by the three men. She further alleged that her mobile phones and other belongings were taken before she was left near the airport.

Medical report awaited

The case has been registered at the Defence C police station. Police said the woman’s initial medical examination had been carried out, while a detailed medical report was awaited. The investigation is ongoing.