MUZAFFARGARH: A local court judge released an ASI on Wednesday who was arrested on rape allegations earlier this week.

The complainant woman earlier said that on Nov 26, the ASI came to her house to investigate the kidnap case of her sister-in-law and during investigation, raped her.

On Nov 27, the complainant approached the district police officer (DPO) who ordered the arrest of the ASI.

On Wednesday, the complainant, however, recorded her statement in court that she could not identify the rapist because of the darkness.

Dawn learnt that the suspect’s family approached the complainant family and forced the woman to give a written statement in court to benefit the suspect.

The DPO said stern action would be taken against both the suspect and the complainant if the result of the lab report of swabs was positive.

A statement issued by the DPO office said the DPO had nothing to do with anyone.

“All are equal in the eyes of law. All the evidence was carefully examined before the registration of the FIR (against the ASI). There is undeniable evidence against the ASI. The case is a non-bailable and non-binding one while the release of the ASI is based on the statement of the plaintiff which will be formally challenged. There is undeniable evidence of the presence of the ASI in the house of the plaintiff. The material for DNA has been sent for forensic testing in Lahore,” the statement said.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2021