Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza has said that the woman’s statement had already been recorded before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). He said she had accused three men of sexual assault in her court statement. Raza said that the two other arrested suspects have also acknowledged the alleged involvement of the third suspect. He said police would include the third suspect in the investigation and complete the inquiry on merit. Earlier, the woman, identified as Diana, released a video statement declaring Ahmed Tanveer innocent and asking for the case to be closed.

She denied that Tanveer had sexually assaulted her or taken her mobile phone, saying he had no connection with the alleged incident. “The accused, Ahmed Tanveer, neither sexually assaulted me nor took my mobile phone,” she said, adding that her earlier statements had been made under pressure. Diana also expressed regret over her previous actions and appealed for the case to be closed. Tanveer’s lawyer released the video statement to the media. The development came after Tanveer’s lawyer alleged that police took his client into custody outside the Lahore Sessions Court, despite the court extending his interim bail until October 27.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)