KOHAT, June 26: A 22-year-old shelterless woman arrested by the police on suspicion of being a prostitute last year and still awaiting a court decision, has refused to leave the district jail, requesting the authorities to grant her permission to make it her permanent abode, Dawn has learnt.

Zahida was arrested by the Cantt police on Dec 5, 2001, under sections 55/109 and sent to judicial lock-up till the completion of verification of her character under the rule 12 of the police.

The police submitted a report to the magistrate verifying that she had a good character. But even then her release orders were not issued by the competent authority.

The staff of the police station concerned told Dawn that she was arrested and presented before the magistrate who was the final authority either to punish her or release her after imposing a fine. They said that it was now the responsibility of the court to decide the case as soon as possible.

The jail authorities said that if the court allowed to release her they would try to shift her to a Darul Aman in Peshawar.

The jail authorities when contacted said that Zahida, a resident of district Hangu, had no home and relatives so she had preferred to remain in the jail.