LAHORE: Renowned stage actor and dancer Sitara Baig was allegedly raped at a five star hotel in Lahore last week by a group of seven men. An application was submitted for the registration of a case against the assaulters.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Sitara revealed that the police is hesitant to register a case as the influential rapists approached them before she could.
She has subsequently requested Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to take action on the matter and give her justice. “The rapists asked me to come to the hotel so they could pay my fee for performances I did in Dubai and Canada,” said Sitara. “When I went there, they gave me the amount in full and also offered me a glass of juice, which I accepted. After the drink, I lost consciousness and woke up around 10 hours later.”
Stage artists and other females associated with the theatre industry are also demanding justice for Sitara. They stated that the whole artist community will protest if the alleged criminals are not arrested. She continued, “I woke up undressed, with no clothes or jewellery, and the money had also disappeared. I was in shock.”
Sitara stated the rapists made a video of her and threatened to post it on social media if she went to the police. “I lodged an application with the police in Nawab Town regardless of what they said. I went for the registration of an FIR but the police refused and pressurised me to settle the matter privately with the rapists. I will not compromise and will commit suicide if justice is not served,” said the stage actor.
Sitara, who is among the top stage dancers of Lahore, is the sister of famous stage artist Qismat Baig who was murdered in Lahore over a year and half ago.
