DNA report confirms polio worker was sexually abused in Jacobabad – Pakistan

SUKKUR: The main suspect in the polio worker sexual assault case was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days after he was singled out by a witness at a court in Jacobabad on Saturday, while DNA tests of the victim and the suspect also confirmed that the polio worker was affected was rape.

The witness, Nihal Panhwar, who also suffered from polio, identified the suspect and recorded his statement under Section 164 before Second Civil Judge and Jacobabad Magistrate Nisar Ahmed Shar.

The judge then held the suspect in custody for 14 days and sent him to the county jail.

The victim also appeared in court.

DNA test confirms “rape”

Jacobabad District Health Officer Dr. Irshad Sarki, said that the DNA test report of the victim and the suspect issued by the LUMHS laboratory confirmed that the polio worker was subjected to sexual assault.

He told dusk on Saturday that it was clear from the DNA report that the suspect sexually abused the victim. The report will be submitted to the court soon to help it make a decision, he said.

The polio worker had admitted in court on September 13 that she was subjected to sexual assault on Wednesday (September 11) while performing duty at Allah Baksh Jakhrani village within the limits of Mauladad police station in Jacobabad.

A day after the incident, the victim denied reports of sexual assault and said she had only been robbed of her cell phone and valuables. But she later admitted to the judge that she had been attacked and also named her tormentor, who has since been arrested.

Published in Dawn, September 29, 2024