SAHIWAL: A victim and her family have demanded the inclusion of Section 376(iii) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which deals with rape against a minor or a person with a mental or physical disability, in an already registered case of rape by an on-duty patrolling police constable as the victim was mentally challenged and disabled.

As per details, the 20-year-old victim had claimed that she was employed as a domestic worker at the residence of the suspect in Ashraf Town of Sahiwal. She claimed that the suspect had been sexually exploiting her for the past six months and had repeatedly subjected her to sexual assault.

Although the Ghala Mandi police had arrested the accused, a constable at the Punjab highway patrolling police, the victim’s family had insisted that the case should be prosecuted under Section 376(iii) rather than only Section 376 because the victim was mentally challenged and the suspect was a serving police official.

The matter was reported to the Ghala Mandi police on the day of the incident on Oct 22, however, the FIR was registered five days later on Oct 27, following what police described as an inquiry into the allegations.

According to sources, a medico-legal examination of the victim was conducted at the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital on Oct 25 and the medico-legal certificate noted injuries and recommended a pregnancy test and ultrasound examination.

Sources further disclosed that forensic samples were collected for DNA analysis and that authorities had also recommended DNA and potency tests of the suspect.

Later on Oct 27, the suspect was produced before a court, which granted police a three-day remand for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the family approached High Court Advocate Awais Sidhu, who claimed that investigators had failed to invoke the appropriate legal provisions despite the nature of the allegations. He further maintained that stricter provisions also applied when a public servant, including a police officer, exploited his official position to commit sexual assault.

Ghala Mandi SHO Asif Sarwar confirmed that the FIR, lodged on the complaint of the victim’s widowed mother, currently contains only Section 376.

He said police would examine whether additional legal provisions should be incorporated during the course of the investigation.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2026