All suspects in Lahore rape case held: DIG

E-Paper | May 01, 2026

LAHORE: All suspects nominated in an FIR of the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in a hotel have been arrested, police said on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference at the CCPO office, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf claimed that the main suspect, had been arrested within 48 hours of the incident. Forensic experts would conduct DNA test of the suspects on Monday, he added.

Know more: Four of girl’s ‘rapists’ still at large

He said the hotel manager, Imran, also had been arrested and the facility sealed.

A police source told Dawn that on the assurance of a fair investigation by a senior PML-N leader, the main suspect had turned himself in to police.

Earlier story in inside pages

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2015

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Imran Gabol is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. He covers politics, climate change, human rights, education, and metropolitan affairs. He can be found on X at @gabolizm.

Police fail to arrest gang rape main suspect

Teenage girl drugged, gang-raped in Lahore

Four of girl’s ‘rapists’ still at large

Shehz

Dec 28, 2015 07:28am

The rapist had to be assured of a fair investigation?

Recommend 0

J Ahsan

Dec 28, 2015 07:44am

And will go free in few weeks !

Recommend 0

El Cid

Dec 28, 2015 07:51am

DNA evidence is fundamental in this case...before it can proceed.

Recommend 0

ali

Dec 28, 2015 08:13am

The typical deeds of senior PML-N leaders...Their mentality is that he are the badshahs and always above law.

Recommend 0

ali

Dec 28, 2015 08:15am

Now, as typical PML-N drama, they will make a false report and all the blame will fall on the victim and the investigators and the court will pay a key role in achieving this outcome.

Recommend 0

M. Omar

Dec 28, 2015 08:39am

People should be outraged and out on the streets protesting so these "pillars" of society will go to jail...and also make sure that the DNA evidence is preserved. Easy to manipulate the DNA evidence.

Recommend 0

Khan- Pakistani

Dec 28, 2015 08:44am

All rape accussed should be tried in anti terrorist courts or military courts !

Recommend 0

Ali Abbas

Dec 28, 2015 08:49am

He will be coming out within a few weeks with a victory sign just like Ayyan Ali and many others before her.

Recommend 0

Waqar Ahmad

Dec 28, 2015 08:59am

Shame on you PML (N) gangsters cum leaders. Still people wants to vote for them?

Recommend 0

Muhammed ali

Dec 28, 2015 09:01am

They are the masters and the public are their slaves. ....hence they think they can mistreat the public and know that they will get away with it.

Recommend 0

Abu-Salmaan

Dec 28, 2015 09:02am

@Shehz Yes, why it was necessary to give him any kind of assurance in the first place before arresting him, is he above the law?

Recommend 0

asad LATEEF

Dec 28, 2015 09:23am

@Ali Abbas dear ,it has been reported that said girl has seen in this guest house previously.what than?,if it is true.

Recommend 0

asad LATEEF

Dec 28, 2015 09:30am

@El Cid dear,it has been reported by some media ,same girl was seen previously in this guest house,then what?

Recommend 0

Israr

Dec 28, 2015 09:35am

@asad LATEEF Even if it is true, she is a minor and the rapists are still guilty. And if it is not true then you, my friend, should be going to jail for levelling false and serious accusations against someone's daughter.

Recommend 0

WAJID

Dec 28, 2015 09:38am

Nation witnessed same fair investigations of Punjab Police in the cases of Model Town Lahore, Zain murder case (Kanju) and attack on Police station in Faisalabad by PMLN MPA and many others..

Recommend 0

karachi wala

Dec 28, 2015 09:49am

"A police source told Dawn that on the assurance of a fair investigation by a senior PML-N leader, Adnan Sanaullah had turned himself in to police." So the claims of Hamza Shahbaz, Rana Sana and Rana Mashhood proved false that PML(N) and its leadership has no association with the main culprit of the crime.

Recommend 0

king

Dec 28, 2015 09:52am

not arrested mashoood ?

Recommend 0

Naveed Iqbal

Dec 28, 2015 10:15am

Police should play a responsible role in this case after that court should punish to the culprits earliest so that it will be a exemplary for the rest of the such elements.

Recommend 0

Farrukh Sarfraz

Dec 28, 2015 10:21am

I can sense a deal in the making. Another case of rich and connected getting away.

Recommend 0

Arif119

Dec 28, 2015 10:25am

He was arrested from PML-N leader's house in Wapda Town, Lahore. AND earlier they claimed that they do NOT know this person at all !! Hypocrites ...

Recommend 0

Max

Dec 28, 2015 10:41am

By the way,, what happened to the Qasoor scandal culprits? The government is trying hard for the people to take matters in their own hands.

Recommend 0

Syed Ahmed, Canada

Dec 28, 2015 10:49am

Why is the Sindh government wasting publics time and money. The end result is quite visible to all and sundry.

Recommend 0

Aneeque

Dec 28, 2015 11:05am

So PML-N leaders were in contact with the rapist and they were giving him assurance that you will be freed. If PML-N leaders were in contact with him they are also guilty.

Recommend 0

Masood

Dec 28, 2015 11:12am

PML-N senior member has no business putting his retarded opinion or pressure on the police for a fair investigation. By saying this he is making a mockery of the Punjab police and confirming the monetary dealings which go on behind the scene. Now if Punjab police is really corrupt it will try to sweep this under the carpet. Let us see !!

Recommend 0

Baaligh

Dec 28, 2015 11:14am

If the main culprit surrendered himself how can police boast of "arresting" him ?

Recommend 0

irfan

Dec 28, 2015 11:16am

I have full faith in Punjab government. They will be free in a week or two.

Recommend 0

adnan

Dec 28, 2015 11:30am

only what is important to shabaaaaaz sharif is acted upon quickly... and in the process Lahore police would have harassed hundreds and hundreds of people! in any case, this seems like a gang which operated to trap people.

Recommend 0

khanminator

Dec 28, 2015 11:44am

He was assured a 'FAIR' nivestigation and assured by the government that we got your back ;)

Recommend 0

lafanga

Dec 28, 2015 12:12pm

I can guarantee that the main PMLN suspect will walk free. There is no chance he will get even a slap on the wrist in the PMLN run Punjab. Just wait and watch. Where are all the civilised people of Lahore, Punjab and Pakistan demanding justice for the poor victim? Where are liberals like Asma Jahangir doing the rounds on TV asking for justice? If people are not out on the streets for this heinous crime, then I will say Indians are 100 times better than Pakistanis because this happened there and they were out on the streets demanding justice.

Recommend 0

lafanga

Dec 28, 2015 12:15pm

@asad LATEEF Certain media will report whatever and whoever pays them the most.

Recommend 0

Nasser

Dec 28, 2015 12:38pm

@Waqar Ahmad People get the leaders THEY deserve.

Recommend 0

Ailly

Dec 28, 2015 12:45pm

arresting them is not big deal Mr DIG. whether or not Adnan Sanaullah is indicted, still remains to be seen, if guilty.

Recommend 0

Ahtesham

Dec 28, 2015 01:02pm

To arrest them is not a big Job but waiting for punish for these criminal with fair justice which not looked happened.

Recommend 0

atif

Dec 28, 2015 01:03pm

dig missed out following: the investigation would be conducted so as to ensure that all accused are acquitted honorably

Recommend 0

AV Houston

Dec 28, 2015 02:22pm

Here is challenge to IK and his party, if there is not a fair trial, then it would be ok to take it to the streets. This time it will be for a worthy cause.

Recommend 0

jbashir

Dec 28, 2015 02:55pm

The victim should have been examined in Forensic institute Lahore. I suspect vital DNA evidence has been lost. Circumstantial evidence will be twisted, witnesses bought, stories planted in the media and police influenced. The end result would be that accused would be honourably freed and the victim blamed. I hope I am wrong, but this is Pakistan

Recommend 0

illawarrior

Dec 30, 2015 06:52am

@asad LATEEF What difference does it make? Rape is about force and lack of consent, not about whether the victim knew her attackers.

Recommend 0

illawarrior

Dec 30, 2015 06:55am

@Baaligh Arresting is the process of formally charging the person, as distinct from apprehending or catching him.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Taptap Send, Arshad Nadeem partner to highlight Pakistan’s unsung champions

The initiative comes at a time when cricket continues to dominate national attention, often overshadowing achievements in other sports.

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.