GUJRAT – Police have arrested an accused involved in a rape case on the orders of village court in Dhalo West area of district Gujrat, a senior police officer said on Saturday.
The woman, who self-immolated her over the ruthless decision by the panchayat (local court) told police before her death in Lahore’s Mayo Hospital that she was assaulted by a man namely Bota couple of days ago.
In a statement to police officers, she said that she was married to Barnala’s Javed on her own choice defying the wish of the council to marry Bota.
Estranged by the marriage, the local council, in a fit of rage, ordered Muhammad Bota to sexually assault her and Bota did so.
The lady confirmed to police that she became pregnant afterwards that led to her decision of putting herself on fire as she could not face the taunts by her village fellows.
The father of deceased woman also confirmed the incident and the actual reason behind the action.
“she set herself ablaze to avoid pinching taunts of people after which she was shifted to Mayo Hospital in critical condition”, the victim further said in her statement. Meanwhile, the local police officials claimed to have arrested the prime accused Bota.
“We arrested the main suspect Muhammad Bota while eight to ten people of panchayat were also detained for further probe”, DPO Gujrat Sohail Zafar Chattha told Daily Pakistan.
“Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) and other medical tests of the both parties would also be conducted very soon, Chattah added.
The hapless woman succumbed to her injuries on Friday in Mayo Hospital.
Meanwhile, the victim’s mother while pleading for justice from Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif alleged that her daughter was burned by her husband.
