Seven, including forensic officer, arrested for destroying evidence in Islamabad rape case – Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Seven people, including three police officials and a forensic officer from Pims, have been arrested by the capital’s police for destroying evidence and changing the blood samples of a rape accused to favor them, police said on Wednesday.

The case was registered at the Margalla police station in response to a complaint lodged by the rape victim.

According to the FIR, the woman registered a case of rape against the accused on January 11, 2024 at the Margalla police station. The accused obtained pre-arrest bail from the court. However, the accused did not cooperate with the investigation.

Two persons were sureties of the accused and had given him bail bonds before his arrest, the FIR said, adding that the two sureties pressured the woman to withdraw the case.

Further, a sub-inspector, who was the investigating officer (IO) in the case, pressured her several times to compromise with the accused, the FIR said.

In connection with the investigation, the accused was taken to Pims on March 25 for the collection of blood samples, where the rape victim, one of the guarantors and a sub-inspector of the capital police were also present, the FIR stated.

The SI, the constable and the surety were present in a room with the forensic officer for about 20 minutes before taking blood samples from the accused, the FIR said, adding that they later went outside and the MLO asked the subordinate to bring evidence from the accused.

The subordinate collected the blood sample from the accused but replaced it with another sample present in his pocket, the FIR said, adding that everything was done in consultation with the IO, SI, constable, sureties, MLO and the subordinate.

The FIR alleged that the “fake” blood sample was sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA).

The rape victim approached the Islamabad Inspector General of Police to redress her grievances, the FIR said, adding that in response, samples of the accused were taken and sent to the PFSA and the test report came back positive.

Deputy Commissioner Industrial Area conducted an inquiry and found the IO, SI, constable, sureties, MLO and subordinates guilty.

Published in Dawn, December 26, 2024