Police Seek More Time to Recover Evidence
A Lahore court has extended the physical remand of four suspects in a case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women.
Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood heard the police request after the suspects were produced before the court following the expiry of their previous remand.
The suspects were identified as Raza Dar, Rizwan, Nawaz and Nasir. Police have described Raza Dar as a principal suspect in the investigation.
The prosecution told the court that investigators had recovered the vehicle allegedly used during the offence. Mobile phones linked to the case were also reportedly taken into custody.
However, police said several items connected to the investigation had not yet been recovered. These included cash, jewellery and weapons allegedly taken or used during the incident.
The investigating officer requested additional custody to question the suspects, locate the remaining evidence and examine their alleged roles.
After hearing the arguments, the magistrate extended the physical remand of all four suspects for another four days. The investigation officer was ordered to produce them again with a progress report at the next hearing.
Case Involves Women From Netherlands and Venezuela
The case concerns two foreign nationals, reportedly from the Netherlands and Venezuela, who were allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted in Lahore.
Police registered criminal proceedings after the women were recovered and statements were recorded. Several suspects were later detained during raids conducted as part of the investigation.
The case reportedly includes allegations of abduction, sexual assault and extortion. Investigators are examining the movement of the suspects, the vehicle allegedly used and communications made before and after the incident.
Police are also expected to review mobile phone records, surveillance footage and other digital evidence to establish the sequence of events.
The prosecution argued that continued physical custody was necessary because the investigation had not yet been completed.
Defence Raises Questions Over Investigation
Lawyers representing some of the suspects challenged parts of the police investigation.
The defence argued that only four individuals had been identified by the complainants and questioned the inclusion of additional people in the case.
It also raised concerns about whether the required identification procedures had been completed and whether the investigation was being conducted in accordance with the relevant legal requirements.
The court did not decide the suspects’ guilt or innocence during the remand hearing. Physical remand only allows investigators to keep accused individuals in police custody for questioning and evidence recovery.
The allegations will still need to be proved before a trial court through admissible evidence and witness testimony.
Police said further investigation was underway and that efforts were continuing to recover the remaining case property.
