A judicial magistrate in Lahore on Wednesday extended by 5 days police custody of four suspects in the abduction and rape case involving two foreign women, as the prosecution sought more time for additional investigations.
The suspects, including an individual related to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, were produced before the magistrate at the Cantonment Courts upon the expire of their five-day physical remand. During the hearing, the prosecution sought further remand, noting the suspects’ DNA and fingerprint tests had been conducted.
A prosecutor said police required more time to recover the vehicle allegedly used in the crime, along with a laptop, cash and weapons believed to be linked to the case. The request was opposed by the counsel for two of the suspects, who argued his clients had no connection with the alleged offenses. He further argued the case was a “cryptocurrency dispute” and fell within the jurisdiction of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) rather than police.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate extended the physical remand of all four suspects for five more days, until July 13.
Four of eight suspects were arrested and sent on a five-day physical remand last week, while the remaining three were sent on five-day physical remand earlier this week. The police maintain the case is clear, insisting they are under no political pressure despite the family ties of one of the prime accused.