Police Seek More Time for Recoveries
A Lahore court has extended the physical remand of four suspects for five more days in the case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two foreign women.
The women are from Venezuela and the Netherlands. The case is being investigated by Lahore police.
The suspects, identified as Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Iskandar Khan, and Sajid Ali, were produced before Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mehmood at Lahore Cantt Katchehri. They were brought to court after the completion of their earlier five-day physical remand.
Police requested further custody of the suspects. Investigators told the court that they still needed to recover a vehicle, laptops, cash, and a weapon linked to the case.
The prosecutor also informed the court that DNA fingerprint tests of the accused had already been completed. However, police said more investigation was required before the inquiry could move forward.
After hearing the arguments, the court accepted the police request and granted another five days of physical remand.
Defence Rejects Allegations Against Suspects
Defence lawyers opposed the request for further remand. They argued that their clients had no role in the alleged offences.
Lawyer Salman Shahid told the court that the matter was linked to a cryptocurrency dispute. He said it should not be treated only as an abduction and assault case.
The defence also asked whether the Federal Investigation Agency had joined the inquiry to investigate the cryptocurrency angle.
Lawyers claimed that Sajid Ali worked as a security guard and had no connection with cryptocurrency. They also argued that another accused was employed in Islamabad and had no link to the alleged activities.
The defence said their clients had been dragged into the case because of media attention. They claimed the suspects were facing a media trial before the investigation was completed.
The lawyers also questioned the status of another suspect, reportedly known as “Boss,” and asked whether he had been produced before any court.
Prosecutors Appointed to Monitor Investigation
The Prosecutor General of Punjab has appointed two prosecutors to monitor the case. Sajid and Irum Riaz will review the investigation and assist with legal proceedings.
Earlier, sources said DNA samples of eight suspects were sent to a forensic laboratory. Police said DNA of three suspects matched with one of the complainants. Further forensic results are still awaited.
Three other suspects, identified as Rizwan, Nawaz, and Nasir, were also produced before a Lahore court earlier this week. Police said further questioning and recoveries were needed in their case as well.
According to police, the two foreign women had travelled to Pakistan after being contacted over alleged cryptocurrency investment plans. Investigators said the women arrived in Lahore on June 29 and were scheduled to leave on July 5.
Police claimed the main suspect took the women to a house in Defence Housing Authority, where they were allegedly held captive. Investigators said the suspects demanded $1.5 million.
The case came to light after the father of the Dutch woman contacted police from abroad. Lahore Police said Safe City digital tracking helped locate and rescue both women.
The women have undergone medical examination and recorded their statements before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Police said the medical reports have been received but will remain confidential due to the ongoing investigation.
