Lahore woman says she called 15, claims police took bribe and locked her up

A troubling case from Lahore’s Harbanspura area has sparked anger after a woman who reported harassment claims she was detained by police instead of being protected.

According to the complainant, she was verbally harassed by a group of men near her home in Fatehgarh. When she confronted them, the situation escalated, and she alleges the men began pelting stones at her. Fearing for her safety, she called the police helpline.

However, what followed has raised serious concerns. The woman claims that when officers arrived, including an SI and ASI, they did not act against the accused. Instead, she says she was taken into custody and moved between Harbanspura Police Station and another station on Bedian Road, where she remained locked up overnight.

She further alleged that her two daughters, aged 16 and 11, were left alone at home during this time — a detail that has alarmed many, given the earlier presence of the same men she had reported.

The woman has also accused the police of taking a bribe from the alleged harassers, claiming this influenced their actions. These allegations have not yet been independently verified by authorities.

The incident has triggered strong reactions online and among rights advocates, with many questioning how a complainant could end up being treated as an offender. Critics say the case reflects a deeper issue of victim-blaming and misuse of authority, especially in situations involving women seeking help.

Calls are now growing for a transparent inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved, as pressure mounts on authorities to explain how a request for protection turned into an alleged night in custody.