CJ takes suo motu notice of Muzaffargarh gang rape

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani took suo motu notice of the alleged gang rape of a widow that took place in Muzaffargarh district on January 24, reported Express News. He established a 3-member bench of judges and ordered the Punjab police to file a report by February 4. The alleged rape was ordered by the 40-member panchayat as punishment for the victim’s brother’s alleged relations with another woman. Background The incident took place on January 24 when five men locked the widow inside a room while the panchayat — who had declared that ‘honour should be exchanged for honour’ — waited outside. A medical report conducted on Thursday stated that the alleged victim had in fact not been raped. The victim also denied the allegation and said that she did not want to pursue a case in this regard and wants the matter to be resolved. The accused maintain that while they did take the widow into a room and strip her naked, she was not raped.