LAHORE: A joint fact-finding mission of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the AGHS Legal Aid Cell has said that without forensic evidence or credible testimony, it is impossible to verify widespread allegations that a student was sexually assaulted in a private institution. college in Lahore last month.

The mission noted a series of events that increased suspicion and mistrust among students at Punjab College Campus 10. These events included a series of social media posts making unverified allegations of rape, conflicting statements by government officials – who claimed they initially and later denied the claims. — and a delayed and inadequate response from the college administration.

The mission condemned the use of “disproportionate force” by the police against hundreds of students who protested at Campus 10 on October 14, demanding justice for the alleged victim, only to be met with police violence.

Further analysis of online engagement suggested that other parties may have exploited the students’ narrative to expand their own social media reach, the mission said.

TikToker has been remanded in custody for claiming to be the mother of an alleged rape victim

The mission noted that the student protest highlighted dissatisfaction with campus security, perceived incidents of harassment and a lack of trust in the college administration and the police. The mission believes that the intensity of student anger should not be ignored simply because of the apparent role of misinformation. At the same time, the harm caused by widespread misinformation is a reason for strong and regular public campaigns on digital literacy and fact-checking.

Among other recommendations, the mission suggests conducting a forensic investigation into the CCTV footage collected on Campus 10 in the first two weeks of October and holding the police accountable for violence against student protesters as well as detaining a person accused of the alleged crime in the absence of an FIR against him.

The mission strongly believes, however, that concerns about harassment and sexual violence on campus must always be taken seriously and effective anti-harassment committees established on all campuses that can be easily accessed by students while respecting their right to privacy .

TikToker remanded for false claim

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court on Friday granted Gulberg police a six-day remand for a TikToker, Sara Khan, who claimed to be the mother of an alleged rape victim at Punjab College.

The police produced Ms Khan in court, seeking a 14-day remand. The investigating officer said the suspect recorded a video claiming to be the alleged victim’s mother and posted it on her TikTok account. The video quickly went viral, adding to the controversy surrounding the case.

The officer told the court that the suspect was charged with making a false statement, inciting public sentiment against the authorities and encouraging violence.

Judge Manzer Ali Gill approved a six-day remand, stating that Ms Khan – a resident of Karachi with a permanent address in Multan – would remain in police custody from sunrise to sunset and spend nights in judicial custody.

Published in Dawn, November 2, 2024