Woman assault case at Minar-e-Pakistan: Fayyaz Chohan says culprits being identified through videos

A female TikToker along with her companions was harassed and assaulted by a mob in Lahore’s Greater Iqbal Park on Independence Day.

In a statement Fayyaz Chohan said that the incident of assault on a woman in Greater Iqbal Park is a shameful act which has brought shame to the society.

“The accused involved in the video are being identified and will be brought to justice.”

A female TikToker along with her companions was harassed and assaulted by a mob in Lahore’s Greater Iqbal Park on Independence Day.

Lahore police on Tuesday booked hundreds of unidentified people in a case after the horrific video surfaced on internet. The FIR was registered under sections 354 A (assault or use of criminal force against woman and stripping her of her clothes), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to commit the theft), 147 (rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The complainant stated in her application that she, along with six companions, were filming a video near Minar-e-Pakistan on the Independence Day on August 14 when around 300 to 400 people attacked them.

She said she and her fellows made effort to escape from the crowd. Observing the situation, the park's security guard opened the gate to the enclosure around Minar-e-Pakistan, the FIR quotes her as saying.

The victim further told the police that the men groped her, tore off her clothes, beat her, and tossed her in the air. The attackers also robbed her of Rs15,000, snatched her mobile phone and took off her gold ring and studs.

Many of witnesses instead of rescuing the victim acted as silent spectators and filmed the incident by using their cell phones. Only one person came to the woman's rescue and helped her get out of the park.

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has sought a report from the CCPO Lahore about the harassment of a woman at the Greater Iqbal Park and directed to the early arrest of accused persons.

"This is a very regrettable incident and it is our collective responsibility to provide justice to the affected woman," he added. 

The Punjab police chief took immediate notice of the incident and got a case registered against hundreds of people on the complaint of the woman. However, none have been identified so far.

The culprits would be identified with the help of forensics and would be arrested, police said.

Furthermore DIG Operations Sajid Kiyani also ordered the SP concerned to take immediate legal action against the suspects involved in the incident.