Zainab murder: LHC summons IGP, others for January 17

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Monday summoned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, joint investigation team head in Zainab case and the Secretary Education Punjab for January 17 in personal capacity on a petition questioning increase in molestation incidents involving minors.

An LHC bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by Helmes Foundation through its President Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada.

As the proceedings began, an additional inspector general of police submitted that the IGP could not appear in the court due to his engagements in Kasur and presented a report on his behalf.

He apprised the court regarding registration of Zainab murder case and investigations conducted in that regard so far. He said that eight cases of such nature were linked to one accused who could not be arrested since 2015.

The court was further apprised that 252 molestation cases were registered across Punjab involving girls under 10 years in past two years. He said that four accused got convicted whereas 25 acquitted and 206 cases were still pending.

He said 1045 molestation cases were registered across Punjab involving boys under 10-year old, in past two years. He said seven accused got convicted whereas 139 were acquitted and 788 cases were still pending.

The court was apprised that 24 cases were registered over murder of minor girls after rape and 19 cases were registered over murder of minor boys after sodomy in past two years.

He was assured that all-out efforts were being made for the arrest of accused involved in the murder of Zainab.

At this, the court observed that Zainab could have been saved if police had shown seriousness earlier. It noted that 108 cases were registered in Kasur over molestation and murder of minors and directed to transfer all the cases to the Child Court in Kasur, which should be heard on daily basis.

Director General Punjab Forensic Laboratory told the court that 1100 suspects were investigated in connection with the Zainab case and 96 DNA tests were conducted in past few days.

The petitioner's counsel Safdar Shaheen Pirzada and others informed the court that another rape victim girl, Kainat Batool, was under treatment at Children Hospital Lahore.

To which, the court directed the Secretary Health Punjab for provision of better facilities to the victim girl.

The case was adjourned till January 17.