On January 28, Rawalpindi a civil court remanded 18-year-old Abdul Wahab to Adiala Jail for 14 days on judicial custody, following accusations of raping a minor housemaid. The decision by Judge Talal Arshad came after the submission of a request by the investigation officer. Wahab, who is implicated in the sexual assault of 13-year-old girl, a domestic worker reportedly seven months pregnant, will remain in custody until February 10.

The case has seen numerous developments, including allegations of misconduct against the investigating officer and claims of wrongful implication. Initially, the case was reported against another individual, Adeel, who was later exonerated, shifting the focus to Wahab. According to police reports, Wahab has confessed to having illicit relations with the victim, who was employed at the residence of Adeel’s wife, Sunila, in the Sadiqabad area.

Further complicating the case, Muhammad Ashraf, Wahab’s father, has contested the charges against his son, asserting that he was falsely implicated after being arrested from Kharian. Ashraf has requested a senior officer to take over the investigation. Additionally, significant allegations have emerged against Sub-Inspector Taimoor Waqar, the initial investigator, who has been suspended following accusations of accepting bribes and misusing his position to manipulate the case outcome.

During the latest court session, the defense highlighted inconsistencies in the timeline of employment and the pregnancy of the victim, suggesting that the accused could not have committed the alleged crime as he had joined the household only four months prior to his arrest, while the victim has been pregnant for seven months. The court was also informed of the completion of DNA testing, though results are pending.

The case has attracted attention due to its complex nature involving multiple suspects, claims of judicial and police corruption, and the sensitive issue of minor abuse. The victim has since been placed under the care of the Child Protection Bureau and is residing at Dar-ul-Amman, Rawalpindi.

Family members of Wahab, including his maternal uncle Muhammad Shafique, have publicly denounced the handling of the investigation and plan to appeal to the Punjab Chief Minister for a thorough and impartial investigation. The family’s legal representative has echoed these concerns, calling for a reevaluation of the evidence and the circumstances surrounding the initiation of the case.