In a surprising turn of events, the Islamabad Couple no longer wants to pursue the harassment case against Usman Mirza as the female victim has retracted her statement against the accused on Tuesday and told the trial court that she did not wish to pursue with the legal proceedings.
The Islamabad couple harassment case became the trending news topic in the country when a video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, there were people forcing the couple to strip at gunpoint and Usman Mirza, the main accused was clearly seen blackmailing the Islamabad couple in the viral video.
Initially, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged under Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) 354A (assault or use of criminal force against woman and stripping her of her clothes), 506 (ii) (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Pakistan Penal Code.
However, the authorities later added the sections pertaining to rape, sexual abuse, extortion, and wrongful confinement to the FIR as well. The victims had alleged the the main accused in the case, Usman Mirza, had extorted millions from them while blackmailing to leak the videos.
Usman Mirza alongside other accused Hafiz Ataur Rehman, Adaras Qayyum Butt, Rehan, Umar Bilal Marwat, Farhan Shaheen, and Mohib Bangash were arrested by police after the First Information Report was registered and the matter became public through the viral video.
It is pertinent to mention that in July 2021, the Islamabad Couple had identified three of the suspects in an identification parade held at Adiala Jail.
In today’s hearing, the mentioned accused were presented before the court and the Additional District and Sessions Judge Atta Rabbani directed to transfer the accused to a temporary lockup situated in the district courts after marking their attendence.
Initially, the complainant couple were not present in the court but later appeared alongside their lawyer Hassan Javed Shorash. The Islamabad couple had completely changed their statement, adding that they did not want to press charges or proceed with the case any further.
The victim girl told the court that she did not visit Adiala Jail and had not taken part in the identification parade. “I do not know any of the accused and do not want to pursue the case,” she said. During the hearing, the female victim also submitted a stamp paper to the court and said that “the police had created the case.”
“I do not know any of the accused and I have not signed any papers,” she said adding that she had not given an affidavit under anyone’s pressure. However, the girl told the court that police officials had visited her several times and asked for her signature and thumbprint on a blank pieces of paper.
She also singled out one of the accused, Rehan, and said that she did not know him and he did not make the video. It bears mentioning that the video of the Islamabad couple that went viral was found on Rehan’s mobile phone after he was arrested.
“No one has tried to assault me sexually, neither I know Rehan and nor he was making my video,” she told the court and she also denied giving ransom money to anyone. She also said that none of the accused had forced themselves on her, make any video, or force the couple to strip.
However, it is pertinent to mention that the viral video clearly showed the Islamabad couple being tortured by Usman Mirza and other accused. However, the victims have now negated their statements despite the whole incident being seen on video.
The female victim had also told the court that she did not want to appear for subsequent hearings in the case, however, the judge told her that she would have to appear and adjourned the hearing till 18 January.
Read more: Usman Mirza Viral Video Sparks Outrage, Suspect Arrested.
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