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Faisalabad Police Arrest Five Men in Assault and Harassment Case Involving Women in Bawa Chak Market
Five men have been arrested in Faisalabad on charges of assaulting, stripping, and filming four women at Bawa Chak Market on Monday. The incident, which has sparked outrage on social media, was confirmed by Faisalabad City Police Officer (CPO) Dr. Mohammad Abid Khan, who assured that further arrests were underway and that the culprits would face severe punishment.
Viral Video Leads to Arrests
The incident came to light when a disturbing video showing the assault on four women went viral across various social media platforms, bringing widespread attention to the crime. Dr. Abid Khan confirmed to Dawn.com that a thorough investigation was underway and that the authorities were committed to ensuring justice for the victims.
FIR Filed and Charges Against Suspects
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Millat Town police station, naming four primary suspects — Saddam, the owner of Usman Electric Store, his employee Faisal, Zaheer Anwar, and Faqeer Hussain, who owns a sanitary products shop — as well as 10 unidentified individuals. The FIR, filed on behalf of one of the victims, includes charges under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, such as:
- Section 354-A (Assault or use of criminal force against a woman and stripping her)
- Section 509 (Insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment)
- Section 147 (Punishment for rioting)
- Section 149 (Unlawful assembly guilty of an offence committed in prosecution of a common object)
Details of the Assault Incident
The victim, a garbage collector, along with three other women, visited Bawa Chak Market around 10:30 am on Monday to collect garbage. The women, feeling thirsty, entered Usman Electric Store and requested a bottle of water from the store’s owner, Saddam. According to the FIR, Saddam reacted aggressively, accusing them of attempting to steal. Upon hearing the commotion, other suspects arrived at the scene, and the situation escalated.
The suspects physically assaulted the women, stripped them, and dragged them through the market while filming the incident. According to the FIR, the attack continued for about an hour, with the women left in a vulnerable and exposed condition. Family members of the victims and passersby eventually intervened, pleading for the women to be released.
Call for Strict Legal Action
The victims have called for strict legal action against the perpetrators. In the FIR, the complainant emphasized the horrific nature of the assault, describing it as gross injustice and highlighting the need for severe punishment to ensure that such crimes do not go unpunished.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Punjab Police confirmed via a tweet that two of the suspects were arrested on Monday night, and the remaining three were taken into custody on Tuesday. The authorities have assured the public that all aspects of the case are being thoroughly investigated, and justice will be served for the victims.
Public Reaction and Social Media Outrage
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with calls for justice and accountability for the perpetrators. The viral video, showing the graphic nature of the assault, has sparked outrage, further amplifying the demand for swift action by law enforcement.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of harassment and violence against women in Pakistan and the need for stronger legal measures to protect women’s rights and safety. The public’s response underscores the growing urgency for addressing these concerns at both local and national levels.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, the arrest of these five suspects marks a significant step toward justice for the victims. The police are committed to ensuring that those responsible for such acts of violence are held accountable, sending a strong message against gender-based violence in Pakistan. Video of women publicly stripping themselves after being caught shoplifting in Pakistan’s Faisalabad has gone viral on social media.
The women first accused the shopkeeper of assaulting them and stripping them. However, CCTV footage that emerged later busted their claims and showed that these women undressed after being caught stealing goods from a Faisalabad shop.
The women are said to be habitual offenders who indulged in shoplifting in a similar manner previously also. Some old CCTV footages of them indulging in similar crimes have gone viral on social media.
