Probe into alleged abuse at Lahore's Ghaziabad PS reveals cop's new connection with beggars

By Adnan Bhatti

LAHORE--  Significant developments have emerged in the case involving allegations of harassment and attempted sexual assault against a girl by an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) posted at Ghaziabad Police Station, with the initial investigation also revealing allegations that the officer had been collecting money from beggars.

Police sources told GNN that ASI Imran allegedly collected money earned by a girl who begged on the streets. The girl’s father was reportedly unhappy that the officer took a larger share of the money collected by his daughter. Investigators have also found that the ASI allegedly took the girl to the police station and harassed her.

Police said the officer allegedly touched different parts of the girl’s body under the pretext of searching her. Investigators said his conduct had raised serious questions during the preliminary inquiry.

Lahore SSP Investigation Muhammad Naveed said ASI Imran had previously been collecting money from beggars at different locations. He cautioned that it was too early to reach a final conclusion regarding the allegation of sexual assault, adding that the facts would become clear once the forensic report was received.

Police officials said Section 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to an attempt to commit an offence, was being added to the case alongside sections concerning kidnapping and sexual assault, including Section 376.

Investigators said ASI Imran was posted to the Investigation Wing, raising questions over why he brought the girl to the police station without any registered case or apparent legal grounds. Officials said the circumstances surrounding her removal to the station had therefore become a key part of the investigation.

Police officials said the circumstances would have been different if an officer from the Operations Wing had brought a beggar to the station over allegations of begging. Even then, however, the search and handling of a female suspect would ordinarily involve a female police officer. The fact that an Investigation Wing officer allegedly transported the girl to the station on his motorcycle has also come under scrutiny.

SSP Investigation Muhammad Naveed said the girl’s father, who works as a grave-digger, met her after she returned from the police station. However, according to the inquiry, the father subsequently took his daughter around the streets in a hired rickshaw while alleging that she had remained missing for nine hours. Naveed said the police would submit a charge sheet against the accused officer once the inquiry was completed.

Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran had taken serious notice of the incident and suspended all 78 personnel posted at Ghaziabad Police Station.

According to the DIG, the ASI took the girl to the station on his motorcycle without any apparent reason, where she remained in police custody for around 20 to 25 minutes. He questioned why none of the officers present reported the incident or asked the Investigation Wing official who the girl was and under which case she had been brought to the station.

Faisal Kamran said the incident reflected negligence and irresponsible conduct by police personnel, making disciplinary action necessary. However, he added that the suspended officials would be reinstated if the allegation of sexual assault was not substantiated.