Suspect in Pakistan child rape, murder case formally charged

In this file photo, Pakistani policemen escort the suspect accused of raping and murdering a young girl as they leave an anti-terrorist court in Lahore on January 24, 2018. (AFP)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani police on Tuesday formally charged Imran Ali with the rape and murder of Zainab Amin Ansari, and booked him in seven similar cases in which he allegedly targeted minors in the Kasur district of Punjab province.
The police brought Ali to a counterterrorism court in Lahore before the expiry of his 14-day physical remand period, and told the judge that the suspect had kidnapped, raped and killed eight girls.
Ali was a lone wolf in each case, said Mohammed Saleem, one of the investigating officers. “Other than DNA reports, we’ve also gathered circumstantial evidence in all eight cases,” Saleem told Arab News. “It will be helpful in the conviction of the suspect.”
A joint investigation team is working day and night to collect as much evidence as possible since “we’re not willing to leave anything to chance,” he said.
The investigators sought a five-day remand of the suspect, but the court granted them three more days for their probe
“The prosecution needs to prepare a strong case by collecting as much evidence as possible,” Sharafat Ali, a senior lawyer and rights activists, told Arab News.
“This will help ensure the suspect’s conviction in Zainab’s rape and murder case.” If the investigators rely solely on DNA reports, they could have a hard time in court, he said.
Afzal Shigri, former inspector general of police, echoed this opinion, saying several high-profile cases were thrown out of court on technical grounds because investigators failed to prepare a rational case.
“This case needs to be investigated from all angles,” he told Arab News. “It’s very important to determine whether the suspect was alone or part of a network before the formal trial begins.”
As for whether DNA is admissible evidence in court, Shigri said: “Our judicial system is still grappling with the issue.”
He added: “If the suspect in Zainab’s case is convicted on the basis of his DNA report, this may serve as a precedent in other criminal cases.”
Ansari was abducted on Jan. 4 in Kasur. Her body was found in a garbage dump five days later.
The rape and murder of the 7-year-old sparked nationwide protests demanding the arrest of the culprit.