ISLAMABAD: In an abrupt move, the investigating officer (IO) of the rape and murder attempt case of a four-year-old girl has been changed prior to the bail hearing of the suspect.

Police officials said the IO, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Riaz, was separated from the investigation and transferred to Aabpara police station on Aug 1. They said that SI Talib Hussain was transferred to Bhara Kahu police station from Aabpara and given the investigation of the case along with the current charge of SHO.

Talking to Dawn, the girl’s father, a government official, said his daughter was recovering and they (parents) were trying everything to bring her out of trauma and keep her happy.

“I met the police officials at Bhara Kahu police station on Tuesday where I was told that the police have submitted the challan of the case in the court on Monday,” he said.

He said he was also informed that the suspect was produced in the court of law from where he was sent to Adiala jail on judicial remand. The girl’s father said that on Friday evening the police informed him that the hearing of a bail application of the suspect was scheduled on Saturday at the district and sessions courts. He said that he was asked to arrange a lawyer and come over to the police station to sign summons in this regard.

When contacted, an official of the police prosecution department told Dawn that it was the responsibility of the state (police) to arrange the lawyer for the complainant. He said that it was a case against the state and police were responsible to bring a public prosecutor to the court for hearing of the bail plea and trial.

Bhara Kahu police station SHO and investigation officer Talib Hussain, when contacted, said that he had received the summons on Friday evening, which were issued the same day. He added that the police had submitted an incomplete challan of the case in the court early this week.

“It is an incomplete challan as DNA test reports of the victim and the suspect are still awaited,” he stated.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2019