Chief Justice Aalia Neelum of the Lahore High Court has summoned Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar concerning his failure to prevent the spread of a video depicting a female student as a rape victim.
The Chief Justice addressed a petition for a comprehensive investigation into the reported rise in harassment cases within Lahore’s educational institutions. The petition also demanded action against those involved in an alleged rape and those using excessive force against protesting students.
During the session, Chief Justice Neelum questioned whether the IGP was aware of his inaction regarding the video’s circulation. She highlighted that the Anti-Rape Act prohibits disclosing the identity of victims, yet this breach had occurred overtly.
Dr. Anwar must explain why no police action was taken after the video became public. Chief Justice Neelum noted that the circulation of such content could devastate a young woman’s life, regardless of the incident’s occurrence.
Additionally, Chief Justice Neelum summoned the registrar of Lahore College for Women University and the Advocate General of Punjab for a hearing on Friday, specifying that a handwritten police log, rather than a computerized one, would be necessary.
Rana Muhammad Sikander, the petitioner’s counsel, referenced a statement from Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, who relayed the university vice chancellor’s concerns about ongoing harassment issues.
Petitioner Azam Butt, represented by Advocate Rana Muhammad Sikander, urged the court to mandate effective safety measures for female students to rebuild their trust in institutional protection, with a corresponding report to be submitted to the court.
The petition included instances from a college where rape was reported, Punjab University, where a female student allegedly committed suicide due to harassment, and Lahore College for Women University, where students protested against alleged harassment by a clerk.
