LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Tuesday allowed Defence C police a six-day physical

A Lahore court has made a significant decision regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged gang-rape of a 20-year-old Azeri woman. On Tuesday, a judicial magistrate approved a six-day physical remand for two suspects, allowing police to conduct further interrogations and gather evidence. The Azeri national, who traveled to Pakistan for business, reported the incident occurring in a private housing society near Raiwind during the weekend.

Key Developments

Arrests and Legal Proceedings

- Police have arrested two prime suspects, with one captured on Monday and the second on Tuesday.

- A third suspect has been identified and is currently being pursued by law enforcement.

- The arrested individuals were presented before Magistrate Azhar Mahmood at the Cantonment Courts.

During the court session, the investigating officer sought a 14-day remand for extensive interrogation. However, the magistrate ultimately granted only a six-day remand, stating this should suffice for relevant investigations, including DNA examinations.

Bail Granted to Female Suspect

In a separate ruling, a session's court granted interim pre-arrest bail to a female suspect related to the case. She is restrained from arrest until October 5. This individual allegedly approached the victim for dinner before the events unfolded. Her lawyer argued that she is being falsely implicated and expressed her willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

Background of the Case

The Azeri woman arrived in Islamabad from Istanbul on September 13 and stayed in Faisalabad for five days before heading to Lahore. She described how she contacted two women to meet her in the city. The events escalated when she went to a cafe around 11 PM, where she initially met one of the women. Later, they were taken to a rented flat where the alleged assault took place.

- The woman recounted that two men arrived in a white car around 2 AM.

- One of the suspects allegedly attempted to assault her while the other threatened her if she tried to leave.

- The suspects took her belongings, including cash and a mobile phone, and abandoned her at an unknown location.

Following her desperate attempts to reach out for help, she was able to contact the police, leading to the registration of a case against three unidentified suspects on September 26.

Public and Legal Implications

This incident is particularly alarming as it appears to follow a pattern of similar crimes targeting foreign women in Lahore. Previously, two other foreign nationals were also reportedly abducted and sexually assaulted in the vicinity.

- The Lahore police have taken steps to ensure the suspects are placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) due to fears they might flee the country.

- These repeated incidents raise grave concerns about the safety of foreign visitors and highlight ongoing issues with sexual assault in the region.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the court's actions will be closely monitored to ensure justice is served in this troubling case. The fast-tracked investigation aims to hold all perpetrators accountable and restore a sense of safety for international visitors to Pakistan.