Main accused in minor girl’s rape case among five arrested ASI suspended for releasing accused; victim weeps as attempt made to record her statement

LAHORE: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police was suspended for releasing four people accused of the gang rape of a five-year old girl on Saturday, while the released accused were re-arrested. According to police, the main accused of the gory incident has also been arrested after successful raids. ASI Jameel Khan of Mughalpura police station released four suspects who had been detained in connection with the rape case after allegedly receiving money from them. When the matter came to the notice of the Lahore police bosses, the ASI was suspended and a case was registered against him. The CIA police also managed to detain the four suspects released by the ASI. Meanwhile, police claimed to have arrested the main accused in the rape case, identified as Imran. Police said the accused, a resident of Mughalpura, was identified through CCTV footage when he left the victim in the hospital. Police said investigations will progress after DNA reports are received of the accused and the minor girl. The victim is being treated at the ICU in the Services Hospital and became conscious on Saturday. However, she was not able to record her statement, hospital sources said. The sources said the innocent girl wept as attempts were made to record her statement. The IG also informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif about developments in the rape case. Doctors treating the girl stated that here condition was out of danger now. Talking to the media, the doctors said the victim would undergo another surgery after the removal of stitches. It was learnt that the parents of the girl were also under psychological pressure and needed treatment. Punjab Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu, while talking to the media, said a team of senior doctors was treating the victim, adding that the best treatment facilities were being provided to her. He said, if needed, the minor girl could also be sent abroad for treatment. Khalil Tahir Sindhu said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was being informed constantly about the progress of the case and the health of the girl. Meanwhile, in their separate statements, former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the rape of the five-year old innocent girl and demanded the strictest punishment for the culprits.