LAHORE: Announcing that the government has been able to reach the real culprits in the Motorway gang-rape case in less than 72 hours, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said on Saturday the 'beasts' involved in the incident will soon be arrested and given punishment under the law.

While addressing a news conference accompanied by provincial ministers Muhammad Basharat Raja, Fayyaz Al Hasan Chohan and I.G. Punjab Inam Ghani, the CM announced Rs 2.5 million each for information leading to the arrest of both the suspects. He assured the suspects would soon be in police custody.

Answering a question, he said the recently appointed Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) of Lahore, Umar Sheikh, had given an "irresponsible statement" on the tragedy during a television interview and IGP has already served a show-cause to the CCPO which he is required to respond to within seven days.

He added that he has directed the Punjab Police and other departments to take effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future. He said he had personally talked to the victim and assured her of justice.

IG Inam Ghani said the prime suspect Abid Ali has been traced through DNA profiling while second suspect namely Waqarul Hassan was traced on the basis of Abid's phone record. Abid is a resident of Fort Abbas, a small village in Bahawalnagar while Waqar is a resident of Qila Sattar Shah, Sheikhupura District. He was released on bail a couple of weeks back.

Inam Ghani said Abid Ali (27) is a habitual offender. He has five cases registered against him. His DNA profile has been available with the police since 2013 because of his criminal record. His DNA matched with the DNA found on the rape victim and at the crime scene. Abid managed to flee along with his wife after a police team in civvies visited the village for investigation, he said, adding: "Both suspects were on the run; we are utilising all our resources and taking assistance from other intelligence agencies as well and the accused will soon be arrested."

He said, police were "95-96 per cent" sure of the identity of Ali's accomplice, whose presence at the crime scene was shown by telephone data. They were also able to obtain his address and CNIC number.

He said police were able to locate Ali's house and also found his daughter there, Ali's accomplice Waqar had fled when police raided his house.

Answering a question, IG said the ill-fated woman had called the Motorway Police helpline but she was redirected to FWO's number. "Ultimately, Dolphin Force reached the scene after a passerby ranged '15'," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020