Kandhkot police on Monday have reportedly arrested Sardar Taj Mohammad Domki, a senior politician and influential feudal lord of upper Sindh region after he had “settled” a case involving the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl by imposing a fine of Rs1.8 million on the “real accused”.
In May, a girl, identified to be a resident of Kandhkot who had been working as a maid in Karachi was allegedly intoxicated and gang-raped. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar taking notice of the incident had summoned a report from the Sindh inspector general of police within a week.
In a press conference the other day, Domki claimed to have “settled” the matter through a jirga. Domki further claimed that the girl was not gang-raped, as alleged by her father, Urz Mohammad Golo, in the FIR, but was raped by a single person. Domki further claimed that “the accused had raped the girl in Karachi after assuring her that he would marry her.” The politician further informed that without his intervention the victim would not have been able to get justice.
Dr Samiullah Soomro, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kandhkot, on the directions of his seniors, ordered the registration of an FIR against Sardar Domki, Urz Mohammad Golo and 13 others on behalf of the state for settling the matter in a Jirga as opposed to dealing with rape incidents in accordance with Pakistan’s Penal Code.
“With Domki under arrest, the police is conducting raids to nab the remaining accused,” SHO Mohammad Sadiq Odho told reporters.
He further added that an FIR had been registered under Sections 310, 419, 117 and 143 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of ASI Mohammad Murad Lashari.