FAISALABAD: A member of the Punjab Assembly and his three family members -- wife and two sons -- were on Friday night booked by the Batala Colony police on charges of subjecting a maid to torture and rape.

Submitting an application, Riaz Masih of Shaukatabad said his 15-year-old daughter had been working as a maid at the residence of the MPA for five to six months. He said her daughter told him that the legislator had allegedly twice subjected her to rape about a couple of months ago, but due to fear, she did not tell him.

He alleged the sons of the MPA had also sexually harassed her and his [MPA] wife would often torture her.

He said his daughter left the MPA’s house on June 25.

The doctor mentioned in the medico-legal report that no marks of violence were found.

Police have registered a case under sections 376 and 377-B of PPC and the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act.

A doctor at the Allied Hospital said the police usually avoid adding the rape section in such cases and wait for a final report of the Forensic Science Agency. However, in this case the reputation of the family has been put at stake.

The MPA said he had a complete proof that he was attending the Punjab Assembly session on the day when he had been accused of raping the girl.

“I am living in the house with my family and parents where she has accused me of rape.”

He said one of his sons was just 10 years old and he had also been named in the FIR.

He said he had also submitted an application with the police for registration of a case, but the police did not move.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2019