LAHORE: An incomplete police investigation report submitted to a trial court on Tuesday cleared five suspects of sexual assault charges in connection with the alleged abuse of two foreign women in July.
However, the challan filed before Additional District and Sessions Judge Rafaqat Ali Gondal implicated the five individuals, including a suspect reportedly linked to a senior minister in other offences, including illegal detention and extortion.
Police charged three other suspects, described as low-paid employees, with sexually assaulting the victims. According to the police report, the case originated from a financial dispute involving a cryptocurrency investment.
The complainants alleged they invited a primary suspect to invest in 2025, but after initial returns, further funds were not repaid.
On June 29, the women were taken to a house in Defence Phase VII, Lahore, where they were detained and pressured to transfer approximately $19,500.
Read: DHA Karachi Foreign Woman Rape Case: Police Arrest Suspect Mehmood
Investigators stated that armed men guarded the victims, threatening them with weapons. The women escaped on July 1 after the vehicle transporting them to the airport met with an accident near Bhatta Chowk, prompting police intervention.
While forensic reports from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency remain awaited, police submitted the incomplete challan to avoid delays.
Judge Gondal distributed copies of the report to the suspects and scheduled the next hearing for November 11.
(With additional input from Dawn)
