KASUR: A teenage rape victim attempted self-immolation on Friday moments after a local court acquitted all three accused in a 2022 rape case, triggering renewed concerns about investigative lapses and protection for survivors of sexual violence.
The incident stems from a case registered two years ago in Baga Hithar village, within the jurisdiction of Ganda Singh Police Station, where a 13-year-old girl had accused a policeman of raping her. According to the FIR filed by the victim’s father, the assault took place inside the house of a female co-accused. Another woman was booked for allegedly forcing the victim to take medicine to induce an abortion.
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During Friday’s proceedings, Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Azeem Sheikh acquitted the policeman and the two women, extending them the benefit of the doubt. Police later said the acquittal was based on DNA report findings that did not substantiate the prosecution’s claims.
Self-immolation attempt
Devastated after hearing the verdict, the victim reportedly went to the area near the Dipalpur Road treatment plant, poured petrol over her body, and set herself on fire. Passersby rushed to save her, but she sustained severe burn injuries.
She was initially shifted to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Kasur, and later referred to Jinnah Hospital Lahore due to her critical condition.
Inquiry into investigation ordered
Following the incident, District Police Officer (DPO) Essa Khan Sukhaira directed the SP Investigation to conduct a detailed probe into whether shortcomings in the police investigation contributed to the acquittal. A police spokesperson said the accused policeman had previously been dismissed from service after an internal inquiry found him guilty, but the court ruled based on available forensic evidence.
Judge acquits accused giving them benefit of the doubt.https://t.co/wdYUrNooBo
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 6, 2025
Two traffic ASIs arrested in separate incident
In a separate development, A Division Police arrested two traffic assistant sub-inspectors after a video emerged showing them misbehaving with a rickshaw driver. According to an FIR filed by SI Ashfaq Ahmed, ASIs Abdul Razaq and Iftikhar Ahmed were seen mishandling the driver, identified as Waqar Asghar of Qadirabad, who pleaded for the release of his rickshaw.
