Religious teacher's DNA matches samples from Mansehra rape case: police

MANSEHRA: The results from a DNA test in a December 2019 child sexual abuse case have matched samples obtained from the primary accused, a religious teacher, police said on Friday.

A challan of the same case was expected to be submitted to a Mansehra court soon, according to a letter sent by the district police officer to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, a copy of which is available with Geo News.

The letter stated that all relevant stages of the investigation have been completed and a challan about the case will be presented to court.

Claims against accomplices

Police sources confirmed that they had received the DNA test report, which was based on samples taken from the primary accused's hair. The medical test was conducted in Peshawar.

The letter further stated that the doctor's report, injury report, various samples of evidence, as well as the witnesses' statements — recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in presence of a judge — also indicated that the primary accused was, in fact, the perpetrator.

The investigation also included claims of aiding and abetting the crime, wrongful confinement of the minor, and spoliation of evidence against three accomplices — all of which pointed towards them being involved in the crime.

Case may go to trial in model court

According to the DPO and the district's superintendent of police (SP) for investigation, it will be recommended that the case go to trial in Mansehra's model court considering its sensitive nature.

The Senate Special Committee on Child Protection — including its convener, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Rubina Khalid — was scheduled to visit Abbottabad to oversee the survivor's medical treatment, according to a Senate Secretariat notice dated January 20.

The religious teacher had allegedly subjected the minor student to sexual abuse at his madrassa (seminary) on December 24, beaten up the boy with the help of his accomplices, and kept the child in confinement for at least two days, according to a first information report (FIR) registered on December 27, 2019 at the Phalra police station under the KP Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010.

Accused was given refuge for three days

Three suspects, including the primary accused, had been arrested after the FIR was filed in December; however, all three were released on bail, according to the police.

It was reported on December 30, 2019, that the assistant public prosecutor in the case had said a case could be filed against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Mufti Kifayatullah if proved that he provided refuge to the primary accused. The prosecutor had also said the accused was given refuge for three days.

The primary accused had been on the run until his arrest on the night of December 29, 2019 when Kifayatullah and other local religious leaders had handed him over to police. The accused's alleged accomplices were his relatives.

Medical report confirms child was raped

At the time, police had said a medical examination of the survivor confirmed that he was raped and subjected to torture as the child had wounds on his elbows and his eyes were swollen. He was admitted to a local hospital in critical condition.

The madrassa where the teacher taught denied the allegation levelled on its faculty member, saying another student with the same name had been involved in a fight with him and the teacher was wrongfully blamed.