LHC forms full court bench for 'rape', harassment cases against students

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has directed authorities to record the statement of the alleged rape victim of Lahore College and ordered an investigation into the recent incidents, led by the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The move comes after violent protests erupted across the province, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of individuals.

The government has imposed Section 144, banning gatherings and demonstrations, and all educational institutions in Punjab remain closed.

During the hearing, CJ Neelum expressed concern over the police's failure to prevent the spread of misinformation and viral videos on social media.

The Punjab IG Usman Anwer explained that they contacted the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to address this issue.

The Punjab government has taken steps to address the situation, including meeting with the family of the student linked to the alleged rape and reviewing CCTV footage.

In a related development, the Punjab School Education Department issued a notification on September 12, 2024, emphasizing the need for immediate action on harassment cases and strict measures to protect women at workplaces .

The directive references the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, and stresses accountability for authorities that fail to address harassment complaints.