PGC student, parents refute claims of rape, demand action against propagandists

The provincial government's high-level committee formed to ascertain the truth behind the claims of the alleged rape of a first-year student at Punjab College in Lahore has released its preliminary findings, confirming that no incident of sexual assault occurred at the educational institute.

The home secretary along with other committee members visited the house of the alleged victim on Tuesday and held a meeting with family members for three hours, Geo News reported.

Almost 36 individuals, including senior officials DIG Operations Lahore Faisal Kamran and college principal Dr Saadia Javed, were interrogated by the committee in regard to the case.

The publication, in its report, said that the girl and her parents confirmed to the investigators that she had fallen from her bed at home on October 2, which caused her serious injuries.

According to Geo News, the girl received treatment at various hospitals, including the General Hospital and the Brain and Spine Clinic in Cantt

Later, she was transferred to Ittefaq Hospital in Model Town and discharged from the medical facility on October 11 after receiving final treatment.

During the investigation, the victim girl and her family members expressed concern over "false news spreading on social media" and requested the police to file a case against those involved in circulating the misinformation under the Cyber Crime Act.

Earlier, it was reported that a 16-year-old student was raped by a security guard on Campus 10 of Punjab College.

However, in a video statement, the victim's father and uncle denied the claims.

In another video, ASP Defence Shehrbano Naqvi termed the rape of a female student "misinformation".

"Misinformation was spread regarding a private college student," Naqvi said in a video message uploaded to Punjab Police's official X account.

"We request all parents, students, and school administrations to lodge complaints with the police if any untoward incidents occur. Your grievances will be resolved. Please don't take the law and order situation into your hands."

Later in another video statement, ASP Naqvi said that no medical records of a female rape victim were found at either the government or private hospital in Lahore.

On the hand, students of the college, who have been protesting against the rape for almost three days, accused police of attempting to cover up the incident due to the institute's influence.