A local court in Shangla sentenced a man for kidnapping and raping his minor wife. The girl, whose rukhsathi had not happened, was only 16. The court sentenced Rashid Ali to life imprisonment. He must also pay a fine of Rs300,000. Judge Mohammad Khan Yousafzai found him guilty. The evidence linked him to the crime. The judge said the prosecution proved its case. Rashid Ali faced charges under section 365-b and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). He got a sentenced to life and a Rs100,000 fine for kidnapping. He also got 25 years prison and a Rs200,000 fine for marital rape.
Seven family members of the accused were acquitted. There was not enough evidence against them. The victim’s lawyer said it was the first conviction of its kind. He said the judgment was historic. The court explained that section 375 of the PPC defines rape without exceptions for marriage. The court noted the victim’s age. She is 16, still considered a child under 18.
The case began on June 10, 2023. The victim’s mother filed a complaint at Karora police station. She said her husband died 10 years ago. She arranged her daughter’s Nikkah with Rashid Ali two years ago. But rukhsathi had not happened. She wanted separate accommodation for her daughter. The accused’s family refused. One night, Rashid Ali and his relatives broke into their house. They tied up the family and took the girl.
Marital Rape Case Ends in Sentenced to Life Imprison
Initially, the FIR was for kidnapping. Later, more charges were added, including sexual assault. The police found the girl. She said Rashid Ali assaulted her during captivity. A medical exam confirmed the assault.
The victim’s lawyer, Mian Safeer, said the court found Rashid Ali guilty. The trial took a year. Many statements and pieces of evidence were recorded. The girl’s abduction and assault were proven.
This case marked the first conviction for marital rape after the 2021 PPC amendments. Rashid Ali held the girl for four days. She was rescued and taken to a magistrate. Earlier, his bail petitions were rejected.
In another case, police arrested two men for beating a calf and filming it for TikTok. An FIR was filed at Karora police station. The video went viral on social media. DPO Imran Khan noticed and took action.
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