Mandi Bahauddin reports over 40 cases of girls abduction, raped in July

Over 40 cases of abduction and sexual assault against women were reported in Punjab’s Mandi Bahauddin during the 24 days of July.

Despite the presence of laws related to rape and gender-based violence, the city reported at least 46 cases from July 1 to 24.

Pakistan Penal Code’s Section 376 (rape), 376-III (rape of a minor), 365B (kidnapping, abduction or induction woman to compel for marriage), 496-A (wedding ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage), 114 (abettor present when the offence is committed), 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or a shorter terms), were seen in the several FIRs.

Similarly, seven FIRs were registered under Section 376-III, five cases under Section 376, and Section 365B were included in 13 cases, while 21 cases were registered under 496-A. Sections 511 and 114 were also added in two cases. 

However, the number of FIRs showed that several crimes of abduction, sexual assault, and physical abuse occurred with young girls and adolescents.

In most cases, miscreants targeted underage girls aged between 10 to 18 years, while females aged from 10 to 28 were also victimised.

At least 150 known and unknown suspects were named in the FIRs.

According to the law, the said cases could result in the death penalty or imprisonment of at least 25 years.

The Sustainable Social Development Organization’s report showed that up to 10,201 cases of violence against women were registered in 2023 in Punjab.