Khanewal police investigate alleged fake rape cases

KHANEWAL: Police in Khanewal have opened separate cases against complainants and witnesses in three previously reported rape matters after a review found alleged contradictions in statements recorded during inquiries and court proceedings, police officials said on Saturday.

According to police, the action followed a review of selected cases registered under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021 in the district. Officials said discrepancies emerged during reinvestigation of cases lodged at Haveli Koranga, Sarai Sidhu and City Kabirwala police stations.

Police said new legal proceedings were started after complainants or witnesses in the three cases either did not support their original allegations during investigation or gave court statements that differed from their earlier versions.

Review of Haveli Koranga case

In the first case, registered at Haveli Koranga police station, complainant Amir Sohail had accused his brother of attempted sexual assault in an FIR. Police said the matter was reviewed again after inconsistencies surfaced in witness statements as well as in later judicial proceedings.

Following that review, police registered a separate case against the complainant under relevant provisions of the Anti-Rape Act, officials said.

Sarai Sidhu case revisited

In the second case, linked to an FIR at Sarai Sidhu police station, complainant Muhammad Irfan and some prosecution witnesses allegedly changed or withdrew their statements during court proceedings, according to police.

Police said the matter was subsequently re-examined and a fresh FIR was registered under Sections 182, 213 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code on allegations of providing false information and misleading investigators.

Three cases under scrutiny

Police officials said the three cases under review were among selected matters examined under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021 framework in Khanewal district. They said the discrepancies came to light during reinvestigation and through statements made in court.

The officials said the fresh cases were registered after investigators concluded that the original versions presented by some complainants or witnesses were not maintained during subsequent proceedings.

Police officials said the action was taken as part of the review process into the selected rape cases in Khanewal.