Court Cancels Pre-Arrest Bail of Suspects in Kidnapping of 12-Year-Old Christian Girl


Lahore, October 3, 2024 — The Lahore High Court has revoked the pre-arrest bail of two suspects, Fahad and Amjad, accused of kidnapping 12-year-old Christian girl, Saneha, from Shah Noor Studio Christian Abadi, Iqbal Town. Saneha was abducted near her home while she was on a simple errand to buy a soft drink from a local shop. This distressing incident is part of a continuing ordeal for the young girl, who had previously been assaulted.

 

Her mother, Sonia, had filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Iqbal Town Police Station, accusing the same suspects of abducting her daughter with the intent of sexual exploitation. She claimed that these were the same individuals who had raped her daughter just days earlier. The police registered the case under Section 376A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with kidnapping for sexual exploitation. Sonia is desperately pleading for the immediate recovery of her daughter.

 

This is not the first time the family has suffered such a trauma. On July 1, 2024, Saneha was drugged and raped by her neighbours, Fahad and Amjad. She had gone to a nearby shop at 10:30 PM but did not return until 1:30 AM. After her return, she recounted the horrific events to her family, saying, “They gave me something toxic, and I lost consciousness. Then they raped me.”

 

Despite immediately filing an FIR, Sonia expressed her frustration over the lack of police action. She stated that the police were reluctant to investigate and even obstructed their attempts to obtain the necessary medical report from Jinnah Hospital. The family, already living in poverty, has faced further hardship in their pursuit of justice.



 

Saneha’s uncle, Arif Masih, who travelled from Faisalabad to support the family, said they are struggling to navigate the legal system. Sonia, a widow who remarried to raise her children, has made an emotional plea to Punjab Chief Minister Mariam Nawaz, saying, “I am your daughter too, please help me.”

 

Local Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sonia Asher visited the family, offering her support, but the Christian community remains deeply concerned about the lack of action. They are calling on authorities to urgently recover Saneha and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.

 

Zunaira Yousaf, the lawyer representing the family, told Pak Christian News (PCN) that since the suspects' bail has been revoked, they will be arrested soon. She added that the police are expected to recover Saneha from their captivity and present her in court during the next hearing. The court will then sentence the suspects according to the law for the serious crime they have committed.

 

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable communities in securing justice and protection. The Christian community and human rights activists are urging the government to prioritize the safety of its citizens and take immediate action to protect the innocent.