A local court in Lahore on Tuesday granted police six-day physical remand of two suspects arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 22-year-old Azerbaijani woman.
The woman, who had travelled to Pakistan for business purposes, alleged that three men sexually assaulted her at a rented flat in Lahore’s Defence area after she was given alcohol.
During the hearing, the investigating officer told Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood that DNA tests of the suspects were required. Police also said a female suspect nominated in the case would be produced before the court on Wednesday.
Separately, Additional Sessions Judge Riffaqat Ali barred police from arresting the female suspect until October 5 while hearing her interim bail petition. She was directed to join the investigation, while police were ordered to submit a progress report.
The Azerbaijani woman recorded her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate on Monday. She alleged that she was taken to a separate room where three men assaulted her and later left her on the roadside after allegedly taking her cash and iPhone.
Police have arrested two suspects and are conducting raids to apprehend another accused. The woman’s two mobile phones have yet to be recovered, according to police.
