LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking recovery of a man accused of gang-raping a woman in front of her husband in Hafizabad.

Justice Abher Gul Khan heard the petition filed by Muhammad Zaman, brother of the suspect, who was arrested by police.

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner did not appear before the court. However, an additional advocate general submitted a report on behalf of the police.

He said the petitioner — who approached the court for the recovery of the suspect — was himself nominated in another case and wanted by police.

The law officer further stated that the gang-rape suspect was not in police custody, and efforts are underway to arrest him.

In light of the police report, the judge dismissed the petition and also ordered the confiscation of the Rs25,000 security deposit submitted by the petitioner for the suspect’s recovery.

The other day, the petitioner’s counsel had stated that the brother of his client might be killed in a staged police encounter. He said three other suspects in the same case — Khawar Mansab, Khawar Fayaz, and Laiq — had already been killed in alleged police encounters.

The counsel asked the court to order the police to produce the petitioner’s brother before the court and to ensure his safety.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025