LAHORE: Significant progress has been reported in the alleged assault case involving a foreign woman, as Dunya News has obtained the statement of the victim, Diana, recorded before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
According to court records, the investigating officer produced Diana before the court, where she was asked her name and whether she knew why she had been brought before the court. Diana confirmed that she was aware of the purpose of her appearance.
Diana expressed her willingness to have her statement recorded under Section 164. The court informed her that the statement could later be used as evidence against her. Despite being informed of the implications, she insisted on recording her statement.
The court also satisfied itself that Diana was giving the statement voluntarily and without any pressure, threat or inducement. Her statement was subsequently recorded under Section 164.
According to Diana’s statement, she arrived in Islamabad from Istanbul on September 13 and stayed in Faisalabad for five days before travelling to Lahore. She said she had planned to visit Skardu but was travelling alone, so she contacted Nimra and Muskan and suggested meeting in Lahore.
Diana stated that at around 11pm, she went alone to a café, where Muskan met her. She said she suggested having food and coffee, but Muskan told her that her friend Nimra was waiting. Diana said she then went with Muskan to Bahria Town.
According to the statement, a white car arrived at around 2am carrying two men identified as Ahmed and Mohsin. Diana said she went with them to an apartment, where they ate food. Two more men later arrived, one identified as Ali Zain, while she did not know the other man’s name.
Diana told the court that Nimra and Mohsin spoke in a separate room, while Muskan also went to them. She alleged that Nimra took Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 from Mohsin and told her that the money was for a party.
Diana said she told them she did not need money or alcohol. She alleged that Mohsin attempted to touch her and locked her in a separate room.
According to Diana, when she asked about Nimra and Muskan, she was told that both had left. She said that when she asked to leave, she was allegedly told that she could not go because her friend had taken money.
Diana stated that she offered to pay them Rs30,000, but alleged that Ali Zain threatened and blackmailed her. She said she was told to drink alcohol with them first and would then be allowed to leave.
Diana alleged in her statement that Mohsin, Ahmed and Ali Zain subsequently sexually assaulted her.
She further stated that she was later put into a car, which was being driven by Mohsin, while Ahmed and Ali Zain were also present.
According to Diana, her bag contained Rs200,000 in Pakistani currency, an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Redmi mobile phone. She said that despite repeatedly asking for her belongings, the men did not return her bag.
The statement recorded before the court further says that the men assured Diana that her bag would be returned but allegedly asked her not to lodge a complaint with the police.
It is important to note that the above account consists of allegations made by the complainant in her statement recorded under Section 164. The final legal status of these allegations will be determined on the basis of evidence and the outcome of the judicial proceedings.
