Woman raped at gunpoint sentenced to death for adultery

A 19 -year - old woman has been sentenced to death by village elders in Pakistan ’ s Punjab province for allegedly having an illicit relationship with her cousin after she accused him of raping her at gunpoint .

According to Hindustimes, the incident happened on Friday in Rajanpur, a rural district about 400 kilometres from provincial capital Lahore.

Shumaila was said to have escaped from the village after she came to know of the panchayat’ s decision and reported the matter to police .

The woman has denied having any illicit relationship with her cousin Khalil Ahmed and alleged that he raped her at gunpoint when she was sleeping at her house .

“I could not raise an alarm as Ahmed was holding a gun . But the panchayat refused to accept my statement and declared that I wilfully slept with him , ” she told the police .

She said the panchayat did not take action against Ahmed .

Fearing for her life , she approached the police on Saturday .

“We have registered a FIR against the panchayat members and will take them into custody for declaring her kaari ( liable to death either by stoning or else ) , ” Hasnain said.

The SHO of Fazilpur Police Station , Qaisar Hasnain , said Shumaila ’ s father said in a statement that he was forced to accept the panchayat’ s decision .

“Since the panchayat declared her liable to be killed he had to accept the decision as it was the tradition of his village , ” he said.
The police have sent Shumaila to a government safe house for women in Rajanpur.

“Honour ” killings and death sentences are usually sanctioned through the panchayat system in Pakistani villages , but they have no legal standing .


( AFP)