LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Monday expressed its dismay at delay in submission of challan in Lahore-Sialkot motorway gang-rape case and directed the investigating officer to complete it by the next hearing.

As Presiding Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta resumed hearing, the investigating officer stated that the challan of the case was in its final stage and would be filed soon.

The judge observed that the IO on several previous hearings appeared with the same statement and sought time.

The judge directed the IO to ensure submission of the challan on Jan 18.

The officials also brought prime suspect Abid Malhi and his accomplice Shafqat alias Bagga to the court from the jail under strict security arrangements.

Gujjarpura police had lodged the FIR No.1369/20 under sections 376, 392 and 427 of Pakistan Penal Code and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Malhi and Bagga had sexually assaulted a Pakistan origin French woman after dragging her out of her car that stopped during the late night travel on the motorway after fuel ran out.

Both suspects had confessed to their crime during the police custody while Bagga also recorded his confessional statement before a judicial magistrate under section 124 of CrPC.

The victim woman also identified the suspects during the identification parade conducted in Central Jail Kot Lakhpat.

Published in Dawn, Jannuary 5th, 2021