In a series of unexpected turn of events, when victims in the Islamabad couple harassment and torture case withdrew their statement, the state has decided that it will continue prosecute Usman Mirza case despite victims refusal.
Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Barrister Maleeka Bokhari in a tweet said that the State will pursue prosecution in the Usman Mirza case.
Meeting held at @MoLawJusticeof1
— Maleeka Bokhari (@MalBokhari) January 12, 2022
The State will pursue prosecution in the Usman Mirza case irrespective of recent developments relating to victim's testimony.Irrefutable video & forensic evidence on record- anyone harrassing & stripping a woman must face full force of the law. pic.twitter.com/SHRMCzhXk1
“The State will pursue prosecution in the Usman Mirza case irrespective of recent developments relating to victim’s testimony. Irrefutable video & forensic evidence on record – anyone harassing & stripping a woman must face full force of the law,” read Bokhari’s tweet.
According to reports, the girl appeared in court and refused to identify the person Usman Mirza. The victim girl recanted her accusation against the accused and told the local court she didn’t want to take the issue any further.
The accused’s lawyers cross-examined the girl during yesterday’s hearing, and she told the judge that she didn’t know any of the accused and that she didn’t want to pursue the case. “I don’t know any of the accused,” she stated in court.
She informed the court that cops had come to her house several times and requested for her signature and thumbprint on blank pieces of paper. She further stated that the whole affair was “fabricated up” by the cops.
“None of the accused had tried to sexually assault me,” the female victim in Islamabad couple harassment case recorded her statement before the court.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the trial of Usman Mirza and his accomplices in the couple harassment and torture case to be completed within two months on September 28.
Idrees Qayyum Butt, Hafiz Attaur Rehman, and Farhan Shaheen, three co-accused, had their bail applications refused by an IHC court led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani.
After hearing arguments from prosecution and defense counsel on the bail pleas, the court delivered its verdict .
Case background:
In July, a disturbing video of a guy sexually assaulting and tormenting a couple in an Islamabad neighbourhood went viral on social media. This sparked considerable indignation prompting a hashtag asking for his arrest to trend on Twitter.
Islamabad police went into action and apprehended the main suspect, Usman Mirza and his accomplices.
