LAHORE: Twenty suspects have been taken into custody and handed over to the CIA over their alleged involvement in assaulting and harassing a woman at Minar-e-Pakistan on Independence Day.
The suspects were detained from nearby areas of Greater Iqbal Park. Authorities have shared the suspect's details with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and are waiting for an identification report to proceed further.
The suspects were taken into custody after police obtained videos that went viral on social media of the horrific assault of a woman Tiktoker who was making videos for her channel on Independence Day.
After NADRA sends its report, police will have the victim identify the suspects as well.
The Minar-e-Pakistan assault came to light after a video went viral on social media, showing hundreds of men attacking a woman as she went to the park with four of her friends to celebrate Independence Day.
Police had registered a case against 400 men for assaulting the woman.
The Punjab government released on Friday the medical examination report of the victim, which confirmed details of the injuries she sustained after being assaulted.
Signs of inflammation were found on the woman's body, the report said, adding that her neck, right hand and ears were swollen.
There are three scratches on the right side of her chest and scratches on her left arm, back and both legs.
There are also several bruises on her body, the report said.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has convened a meeting today to review progress in the investigation of the public assault case, which has caused national outrage.
Inspector-General of Police Inam Ghani will brief the chief minister over the arrests and identification of the suspects.
The meeting will be attended by Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat, IG Punjab, Additional Chief Secretary Home, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and other senior officials.
In yet another terrifying episode of violence against women amid a rise in such incidences, a woman in Lahore's Greater Iqbal Park was assaulted by hundreds of men on August 14.
The victim, along with her friends, was making a TikTok video in the park when hordes of men of all ages climbed a fence and attacked her.
The victim told the police that the men groped her, tore off her clothes, beat her, and tossed her in the air. In addition, they robbed her of Rs15,000, snatched her mobile phone, and took off her gold ring and studs.
Out of hundreds of men, many of who just stood there and even made a video, only one person came to the woman's rescue and helped her get out of the park.
A case had been filed against 400 people on the victim's complaint.