Government directed to form special units to probe rape cases

LAHORE: Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh has directed the provincial government to take immediate action in constituting the Special Sexual Offences Investigation Units (SSOIUs).

His directive addresses the pressing need for more effective investigations into sexual offenses, which suffer from prolonged delays and a low conviction rate.

Justice Tariq Saleem observed, “Most criminal cases fail in courts due to defective investigations.”

Recognizing the pivotal role police investigations play in the criminal justice system, Justice Tariq Saleem emphasized that cases involving sexual violence, such as rape, require meticulous and thorough examination, much like any other criminal case.

Delays or lapses in critical processes, such as timely medical examinations or evidence handling, can significantly weaken the case, ultimately benefiting the perpetrator.

The directive came from a detailed judgment issued during a case in which a woman challenged the police’s findings that her case, initially categorized as gang rape under section 375-A PPC, did not qualify as such. The petitioner sought to quash these proceedings and a directive for reinvestigation under section 9 of the Anti-Rape Act.

During the case, it was revealed that several districts in Punjab had yet to establish SSOIUs despite the Anti-Rape Act’s requirement for their formation two years ago. Justice Tariq Saleem emphasized that every SSOIU should include at least one female police officer, particularly essential in cases involving children and women.

The Anti-Rape Act, enacted in 2021, was designed to address rape and sexual abuse crimes outlined in its Schedules.

Source: The Express Tribune