The first information report was registered on the complaint of the child’s father. However, police did not initially arrest the accused, Shafqat Samejo. Police only took action when Sindh Inspector General of Police Dr Kaleem Imam took notice of the incident.
The family has complained that the police did not initially cooperate in the investigation.
Moreover, the FIR against the cleric was registered under section 376 and 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The victim girl’s medical examination has also been done.
On October 25, the girl returned home late from her seminary in the village of Dildar Samejo. The family set out to search for her, and heard her cries from a shop near a mosque. Upon opening the shop, they saw the cleric abusing the child.
Taluka Hospital Panu Aqil’s medical officer, Dr Saima, has confirmed rape in her initial medical report. Meanwhile, samples of the accused have also been collected and sent for DNA test.
The station house officer of Baiji Police Station, where the FIR was registered, stated that the accused had put pressure on the girl’s family and a relative of the accused had even submitted an application for registration of FIR of theft against the girl’s father. The police, however, did not register the case.